Close The Gap – My One Year Anniversary at Buckhead Church
Since the day I got here I told my team that the first year I’m here I want to do one thing.
Close the gap between the crowd and the stage.
That means lots of things.
Here is how I laid out our first year goals to my team…
Well all I can say is, God did it.
Using the team I have around me and constant prayer, last Thursday night I can truly say that not only was the gap closed, it was destroyed.
It has taken lots of work, strategic teaching, strategic leading, and prayer. And the journey to close the gap is not over.
It is just beginning.
One night does not make a movement.
But it can ignite one.
A year ago TODAY I was leading in front of these people at the church that made me who I am…
A few months later I was leading in front of this…
The only hand raised was that of my 5 year old Sohaila.
The atmosphere was changing though.
I could see desire in the faces of the church to connect in a deeper way.
Last Thursday night I led in front of this…
2500 people united as one for One.
Knowing you are called to go somewhere makes it slightly easier (was that bad grammar?) but it was the hardest decision of my life.
I cried this morning alone in my office.
Yelling at God for taking me from a place that is real with themselves, others, and God without thinking twice about it.
Thanking God for bringing me to a place that has the leverage to actually impact an entire city.
See following God is not easy.
Some people have not been hip with changes, ME, the way I do things, where this church is heading.
My dad told me this would be the case.
That I need to surround myself with people who will follow the vision God has placed in my heart to see a church within the city of Atlanta striving towards authentic worship on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
I believe when someone worships God on Sundays with an undignified love that it only begins to set aflame a passion in their hearts the rest of the week.
So that is why I am here. To have Atlanta, GA hear the rumblings from the walls of 3336 Peachtree Rd. and then see that rumbling pour out into the city and transform it one relationship at a time.
I’m Blessed to be here.
Father God,
I beg you. I beg you from my calloused heart to set my church free.
Free from any sort of inward focus and set us ablaze in this city.
Show us in any way, shape, and form how we are to change this city into the most authentic community of believers the world has ever seen.
To God Be The Glory
Amen.
Carlos
Technorati Tags: Buckhead Church, Sandals Church
RAIN IT DOWN
Wow, what does a person say to that? From someone on the far outside, wishing I could look in, I will pray that prayer with you. Faith breeds miracles, my friend and it is apparent that Jesus shines on you seven days a week and twice on Sunday!
All I can say is Amen. Doing a great job Carlos. I have only seen you Live once, and that was Thursday night when you all announced BMP. I am excited to see what you are doing. I love reading your blog and seeing how God is shaping your heart. Keep it up. AMEN!
awesome post! it is truly inspiring. i’m actually going through this right now, making a huge life change and asking God but why?. i’m excited no doubt, but its the hardest thing ever, i wish people would realize and understand that. but i know God has great plans, and your post was perfect for me today! keep doin’ what ya do!
Carlos,
Amazing man! Those pictures say it all. Right now I’m praying for this kind of movement at my church also – that God would move people’s hearts.
Nice look back and some great images. Amazing when you look back over a period of time to see what has transpired. Sometimes we get stuck in the day and forget we have actually gone somewhere. Great job.
right on for moving out of the 909 to get your peach tree rd. journey going. one thing is true, if you had to be called somewhere it might as well be on peach tree rd.! from the distance it seems like you’re bring the west coast flavor in a fantastic way to them southerners.
cheers to many more years of great ministry Carlos.
God is not safe and when we let Him use us, you can count on being uncomfortable. Your prayer is my prayer for our church and our community as well.
If we all would pray that prayer and obey when God asks us to step up, imagine the flood that will pour out.
you know, it wasn’t real to me that you’d left sandals until i’d returned in january. since i left about when you did, i didn’t notice the piece of my worship that you took with you. i cried the first sunday in february 2008 cause it hit me that you were gone. once i was finally adjusting, i left again. MAN, that is a HARD place to leave. today may mark a new anniversary for me. i joined a local church today. i’m praying God will change me, use me and heal me at this church and in this new church family. i have to say tho…i miss my home at sandals and my family there. it’s good to know tho that God can use us anywhere! miss you carlos. =0)
p.s.
make another CD for those of us who can’t worship with you in atlanta!
Bro, thank you so much for this post (and you’re link to the post about your “Hopes and Dreams for 2008″ for service planning). I just accepted a position as a Creative Arts Pastor for a church that will be launching in a few months. I feel like God is sending me there and you have definitely inspired me through your words!
With my new position, I’d love to connect with you through email and such to pick your brain about service planning!
congrats buddy! really glad to hear your processes. keep tearing it up in ATL – He gets all the credit!
Take care of your leg!
thanks for being real with all of us…
congrats man. much love. i’ll see you in a bit.
glad you’re hear, my friend.
PS – You’re “really” on Lenox Road. Ha, ha.
Beautiful and inspiring. Thanks for being a Godly leader.
Dude, I’ve never met you but I love you. You have challenged me to see things I didn’t see before, made me stretch what I did believe, and forced me to examine where I was and where I was going. I’m glad I “met” you.
That’s a pretty amazing story Carlos and thank you for sharing it with me and the rest of the world.
“Knowing you are called to go somewhere makes it slightly easier (was that bad grammar?) but it was the hardest decision of my life.”
No, not bad grammar at all–”knowing” serves as a noun/subject here. You just need a comma after “easier.”
)
I agree that the address is a little confusing, but I guess that’s the address, huh?
Congrats on your one-year anniversary.
I’ve experienced this twice, and it’s exciting to see a church “get it”. It’s tough, but when you see the fruit, it’s worth the pains that just can’t be avoided in change and transition. God bless your efforts and vision. happy anniversary.
So what comes next, once “raising hands” becomes tradition? I ask because the local church I attend has been there for a long, long time. Sometimes I wonder if people are really raising their hands to praise God or simply because that’s what everyone else is doing and they want to fit in. Would love to hear your thoughts…
Los…I cried when I read this post. I needed the release…and this “word” today. Thanks.
Dave. Like I said in the post.
It is only the beginning.
Hopefully when people push past their uncomfortableness then they will do that in their everyday lives as well.
I would challenge your church to sit in silence and not sing a word or lift one hand.
Continue to press for making your “local” body do what they need in order to go out and live lives for Christ.
For us. We needed to close the gap.
For you it may be different.
Is that Christopher Coleman rocking out with you guys? I love that guy and never tire of hearing him…
Carlos,
Man, do I relate. I would so love about an hour or two over coffee or dinner … I feel very much the same way … I’m bookmarking this post, and the one you linked to … my desire is to see that gap closed at SSCC as well … and it’s working, but it’s taking a while, and not without resistance.
For the Kingdom,
Fred McKinnon
http://www.fredmckinnon.com
http://www.theworshipcommunity.com
I love your heart. You have such a way with words that always moves me to tears. I love seeing what God is doing through you and Heather! Love you guys!
los
thanks for being real with your emotions. I’ve walked with you on this journey in my own shoes. opposite sides of the country…yet similar circumstances. I need to celebrate the growth that I’ve seen in my ministry the same way you have. Thanks for challenging me. Keep it up.
Lichty
“It is only the beginning.
Hopefully when people push past their uncomfortableness then they will do that in their everyday lives as well.”
Los, makes total sense. Thanks for the response.
Los
thanks for being you. Thanks for leading a life which inspires others. Thanks for making BC go’ers look around and then look outside the campus. God is doing amazing work through you and this is inspiring others to do the same. I know in my group of friends we are all thinking of ways to take it to the streets….
Thank you. And thank you to your family for up rooting, coming to Atlanta, and joining the Buckhead Church family. The first time I ever raised my hands in worship was when you called us to take a step further in our faith. And I did it for like 2 and a half seconds. But, it was a step. And in the picture from stage from Night of Worship I was one in the crowd dancing for my Lord. It was a step I may never have taken without your asking.
I know it’s hard. I have cried many times here in the ATL, away from my family, however the direction God is taking me in my life makes it worth it.
Just wanted to know you are affecting life change in the A!
New project:
Place someone outside the church equipped with a two-way radio. The entire congregation has to sing until they’re loud enough to be heard outside.
I watched your You Tube video titled “my announcement,” wow, put me in tears. You and your family are doing the right thing, being put in an uncomfortable situation for God is the only way to live life. You guys rock. I loved the picture of Sohaila lifting her hands – that’s awesome.
Its been my experience that the church who worships more freely on Sunday is filled with people who first worship Mon-Sat beyond the music, then show up Sunday to party with their church community. I’ve been in the church who does it the other way around and its painful trying to inspire day to day worship solely by the Sunday arts experience. Sounds like a catch-22 I have no answers but I’m a product of attending a church that did the big turn around. Hold fast man. Hold your vision and pursuit sure. God will astound you in ways you haven’t even prayed for yet.
Probably the coolest thing I have ever seen you write Los. Pretty vulnerable too.
Blessings on ya man.
you said it exactly how i explained it to my wife the other day. WORSHIP through your life Mon-Sat, and things will be radically different when you worship through song on Sunday morning
God is calling me to something right now. It's ” in the works” and I'm praying DAILY about it. I'm stoked about it. I think it has the opportunity to blow up big time for Christ. I”m so stoked!!!
But I'm scared. It means leaving a job of security & comfort. It means leaning on God – ONLY. I know I”m suppose to – but it doesn't make it easy.
But still…I will follow. Why? Because He asked me to. Suppose to be simple…but never is.
What a beautiful thing it is to see God's people worshipping together passionately. Whoo… brought tears to my eyes. You are doing great stuff there, Carlos. Keep pressing in…
you said it exactly how i explained it to my wife the other day. WORSHIP through your life Mon-Sat, and things will be radically different when you worship through song on Sunday morning
God is calling me to something right now. It's ” in the works” and I'm praying DAILY about it. I'm stoked about it. I think it has the opportunity to blow up big time for Christ. I”m so stoked!!!
But I'm scared. It means leaving a job of security & comfort. It means leaning on God – ONLY. I know I”m suppose to – but it doesn't make it easy.
But still…I will follow. Why? Because He asked me to. Suppose to be simple…but never is.
What a beautiful thing it is to see God's people worshipping together passionately. Whoo… brought tears to my eyes. You are doing great stuff there, Carlos. Keep pressing in…
I am supposed to be working on late night projects right now, but this post has been in my thoughts for the last few days. I had to look it up.
I've watched it happen at my last church. But a year and a half later at a new place, we've only moved "inches".
I know it's not a formula. How do we get there?