Shannon Chapman

The power of Execution

Some times I think people get so bogged down with planning that they fail to EXECUTE their objective. For example what good is a plan of action if it never becomes an action.  The power of execution takes energy and determination to see the plan though.

Since June of last year City Church has been in state of dreaming for the future.  We prayed and sought the future of our church.  We developed a team to help us create the our new structures and how the landscape would look in our environments.  But now its time to execute. 

To really execute your vision you must begin with the end in mind.  Our staff is doing AMAZING right now at City Church.  They are working hard and executing the plan with excellence.  I actually said today in my office, "I can't believe this is all coming together."  But the reality is I should have known it would have since we developed a clear cut vision.  

I think to execute your plan you need:

• Create a clear vision for the project 
• Create steps to the finish line 
• Create a never quit attitude  among the team

I just want to give a huge shout out to the City Church staff.  We have still so much to be done before Sunday and the launch of our new systems but you are executing the plan with excellence.  I am so honored to be on the same team with you.

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER!

Sunday Recap

• We had the biggest crowd we have had in months
• The band did great on the opening song ... Happy Together ...everyone seemed to love the video 
• The energy in the room was amazing today
• I felt like my message really captured what it meant to be a community of Dreamers  
• Watching everyone bring their bags of food for the food bank was very overwhelming 
• At the end of service today we turned off all the lights and had everyone light a candle ...We then played the song Be Thou My Vision...VERY moving moment
• Loved watching Andy play his guitar  with a bow
• Once we dismissed the service NO ONE left the room ... it was like they were not done 
• Over all today was a GREAT day! 
• As we move to the future I pray that God makes us a community of one, passion, generous, and dreamers 
• Can't wait to be back next sunday as we start our small groups.  

Very Moving...I mean it

What a ride

Man the last couple of days have been a ride.  Spoke Sunday at Ethos then loaded the kids and drove like a crazy man to get to SC.  Got there and went straight to the funeral home.  Got up the next day went to the funeral and then headed an hour away to the graveside.  I was so honored to speak at the graveside.  Then went back to my grandmothers and had dinner.  Then got up on Tuesday and drove back home with the kids.

Unpacked and got things some what  back in place and then got up today and went back to work.  Im telling you what this has been a little crazy lately.  Then tomorrow night I am speaking at a church in cleveland and the Ethos band is leading worship.  I hope I am up for this lol.  Then I speak again Sunday at Ethos then Lee University Sunday night.  I can't believe that I am speaking like 5 times this week.  

Again I want to thank everyone for all your prayers!  We couldn't have made it without them.  Well, I got to get some rest.  I have another full day tomorrow.  My saying for our community this month is "Moving Forward Together!"

Quick Update

The last two days of my life have been totally crazy.  Today we had upward, and Jacob did amazing, then we took Jonah to little gym, then had lunch, then had to run a ton of errands for my parents since they are still in SC.  Got home finally washed clothes and cleaned house, went back out to buy the boys some clothes for the funeral which turned into a very stressful event.  Then went to the church to make a video of my grandmother (mama) to show at the funeral home.  

To be honest with everyone I'm TIRED!  But on the other hand I feel strength.  Even though as of right now my message is not even close to being done for tomorrow, something tells me Ethos is going to Rock!  Don't let this 1 millimeter of snow stop you from coming.  Tomorrow's message is crucial to this series.  I know that God is going to give me the exact words to say in the morning.  

So, set your alarm and get there in the morning.  You will not want to miss any part of the service.    Thanks to everyone for your support, love, and kind words during this difficult time.  TOGETHER we will get through this.

Mama, I miss you already…

Sara Davis Chapman, 1928-2009

Today has been a very surreal experience.  My grandmother, whom I call Mama, passed away at 3am this morning in South Carolina.  It all went down very fast, way too fast.  She was 80 years old and had lived a full life.

When my dad called me at 3 am and told me that she had passed I spent the next 2 hours playing a video in my head in fast speed.  Remembering all the times we had together.  She had an amazing sense of humor and I always loved to hear her laugh.  But one thing everyone knew about her is that she loved God with all her heart, soul, mind, and body.  For years, and I mean years, the first thing she did when she got out of bed was kneel next to her bed and pray.  She didn’t pray because she had to, she prayed because she wanted to.

I can’t believe she is really gone.  I talked to her two times this last week on the phone and every time she sounded strong.  It must have just been her time.  I wish so badly I could have been there when she got to see my papa who has been in heaven now for 18 years.  She missed him so bad.  I wish I could have been there when she saw Jesus face to face. 

I was in the car today for like 20-30 minutes by myself and I just started talking to her as if she was in the car with me.  I felt like she was looking down on me saying “Shannon keep doing what you are doing, preach the Word with boldness!”  I always knew she was so proud of me.  I am going to miss her like crazy, but I know she is in a better place. 

I want to thank everyone for their prayers. I will be speaking at the graveside service and I am SO honored!  Mama, I miss you already.  

Tonight

I am so excited about tonight.  We are having a night of vision at Ethos.  It's going to be a great time where I can share my heart with everyone.  Sometimes I feel like we work so hard to keep things going that we stall-out from moving forward.  

Tonight, I want to lay some foundations for our community as we move forward.  I want to share some thoughts that God has placed on my heart for our community.  We MUST NEVER seek the weekly experience over changed lives through Christ.  So many get so caught up in putting on the best show in town they they lose sight of the gospel.  Don't get me wrong I love technology,  lights, setting the right atmosphere, but never at the expense of losing sight of life change.  

Ethos is different than other communities but in no way are we better.  We want to be a community of love, faith, and change.  We want to love people because we have been shown love...we want to present the faith of gospel in everything we do...and we want to sit back and watch as God changes lives forever. 

People ask me all the time Shannon do you want Ethos to grow?  Make no mistake about it I want Ethos to grow!!!!!  But I want it to grow from people coming to Christ not because they like our weekly show.  To be honest that make me sick to my stomach.  The Church I believe is the most effective community to bring healing to the world.  We must get crazy passionate about that.   

Ok, I am getting worked up here at I sit and type lol.  I need to get back to writing some thoughts for tonight.  See all you ethosians very soon!!!!

19 days and counting

We are 19 days away from launching our new group model, service times, kids programing and soooooo much more.   I can't explain it but the energy level of the ENTIRE staff is amazing right now.  At staff meeting yesterday besides being hungry lol everyone was ready for FEB 1 to get here.

The future of our church is going to be amazing.  Our numbers were up this past Sunday in EVERY area.  Our finances were the best they had been in weeks.  The reality is TOGETHER we are going to keep moving forward to advance the mission of Christ.  Ok I have to get back to work now, but wanted to let everyone know that I am pumped about Feb 1.  The best is yet to come!!!!!!!!  Believe it!!!!

Together Devotional - wk2

Click here to get a copy of the Together devotional - wk 2.  

Visible Children - Be there!