Here’s a couple photos from my recent session with Scott and Erica Magdalein. These are some of my favorite people to hang around.
Scott leads out the team behind Youversion. They have the best Bible application and web reader that is available. They represent the folks at Lifechurch.tv well! Erica, is a certified Dive Master. Which, means she can make you a legit diver. I love these two people! I also, I have the honor of calling them my brother and sister in law!
You can see more photos from their session here.
Most of you know last year, my wife and I, transitioned off staff of Rivertown Church to plant Jacksonville City Church. We started meeting as a core group in July of 2010. We had six families and a good thing going. Except, a few things.
As the leader of this group I was beginning to sense a little bit of hesitancy going further with the plant. I was wrestling daily with two things: Is this the right time and is the right city?
I couldn’t shake it. I’d have numerous conversations with my wife about it each day. I finally had to make a painful, yet freeing decision. That was to pull the plug on Jacksonville City Church. I always wanted to be a leader that leads with integrity and I knew I couldn’t do that with the doubts I was having. I will assure you of this, there was no scandal! I didn’t steal any money or cheat on my wife. It was a timing and calling issue.
We ended up pulling the plug around the beginning of November. We had a great crew of people and things were looking great for the church plant. It is hard at times to not be planting, but we are eagerly waiting for what the Lord has next.
Another great thing is, a good friend of mine, Michael Smith, is planting a new church on the other side of town. And, we were able to help them get a head start by providing them with a church name and equipment! We are excited for them as they take over the Jacksonville City Church name. You can check them out here!
I’ve learned a handful of lessons through this process that have been very humbling, painful, and yet joyful. I hope to share and impart on the blog over the next week or two. I hope that it will be beneficial to aspiring church planters.
these shots were taken on my brand new t2i. They were taken fresh out of the box!
I remember reading a blog post by my friend, Ben Arment, about replacing your salary with alternative forms of income. It really got stuck in the back of mind for a while. Until recently, I had no idea what that looked like until now.
One little venture I’m setting out to take is, creating a side project in doing freelance photography. It’s always been something I’ve really enjoyed and have been told I’m good at.
Over the next couple weeks, I’ll be working on creating a photo session experience for people. I’ve also, seen this as a way to help some folks out. There’s a lot of people who would love some great photos of their kids, but can’t afford a top local photographer, nor want to venture to Olan Mills.
I’ve created two photo sessions, that will be very economically affordable for people.
I’ll also, be posting more frequently here on the blog snippets of photo sessions I’ll be doing.
Let me know if you are interested in setting something up, by clicking here! If you mention promo code: #BBPLAUNCH in the designate spot, I’ll discount the two hour session $50.00 or the one hour session by $25.00!
Hello Boydbettis.com readers.
It’s been a while since this place has seen an update.
The last few months have been a little bit of a roller coaster.
But, I’ve got a lot of updates to share and some changes coming to the blog.
Thanks for checking in!
I’m one of those folks who sets out each morning with the ambition and desire to change the world. I want to make my life count for something. I want to be known for something. I want to make a difference.
But, I’ve realized using the phrase change the world, is a little over rated.
I realize that when I set out to do that…I get lost in it. It’s too vague.
I wonder if we were a little more pointed in our ambition to change the world. We would begin to see ourselves change the world.
Take your change the world statement and craft it into a pointed mission.
I bet the dynamics of your pursuit and drive will change.
The past few Sundays have been weird for me. Since we are in the processing of launching a new church we’ve been floating around visiting other churches to see old friends, preach, or visit around. It’s been weird just showing up places to sit and leave. I’ll tell you it’s kind of depressing not being involved on Sundays.
I know its just a season for me and my family right now, but here’s where it affects you.
Some of you aren’t involved at your church at all and I feel kind of bad for you. Because it’s really boring just attending a church and not doing anything else.
You are missing out on a big opportunity. You have the opportunity to be a part of someone else growing in their relationship with Jesus. There’s a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment serving in your local church, I want to challenge you today to step it up and get involved. Start doing something, make a difference.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity and experience you can have!
Here’s an idea for your Monday morning coffee read.
I wonder what aid it could be in our sermon planning if we did a church wide survey a couple times a year to help gauge where our people are in life and theology.
You could ask questions of all sorts: theology, current events, biggest struggles, etc.
I wonder what that could do to your preaching. Thoughts?
I’ve been out preaching the last two and a half weeks. I figured I’d update you on a couple highlights!
- We’ve seen about 10 + people surrender their lives to Jesus. Many of those have been students who thought they were Christians, but realized they never committed to Jesus before!
- I’ve preached over 20 sermons over the span of about 10 days!
- Students took the sermons on honor, respect, unity, humility, and the gospel going forward very well!
- There were about 20 + students that indicated a call to ministry in some capacity, it was exciting to pray and challenge them with the call.
- I’ve eaten very well at these camps…last night I had steak! What other camp does that?
Please continue to keep me in your prayers. I will still preach another 5 times this week!
I’ve spent the last week and half preaching to different student ministries from Jacksonville and South Carolina. It’s been a humbling experience. I remember when Jesus called me to preach, it was about 6 years ago. I remember the summer of 2003, thinking how awesome it would be to one day preach a summer camp to a packed out room of students.
Here am I seven years later, I’m preaching to over 300 people this summer…most of whom I have no relationship or connection to. It’s humbling to see the platform and influence Jesus is entrusting to me.
I am humbled that Jesus is giving me the platform to speak truth and hope into the life of students, parents, pastors, and leaders this summer. I’m also, reminded of the process. There is a process in which God brings a man through. I’ve looked back on my short preaching career and church planting journey and see the process in which God has brought me through. I see the process…It’s humbling.
