Shannon Chapman

100000000000000 ideas in my head

One of the hardest things as a leader I think is doing less for more.  Doing less is not the goal, but doing less so that you can focus is.  The concept of simple church to me is not just keeping things simple just because.  The simple church model is still VERY hard on the staff and volunteers.

The idea that I am starting to really buy into is the reality of doing less so that you can give your time, energy, and passion to fewer things.  This will in the end give you a greater return on those goals.  Another way to say it is your productivity will go higher.  

One of the hardest things we fight in the church is to be all things to all people.  The reality is one church can't do that.  We have to find what God has called us to be and fight hard not to let the newest program or peoples wants to determine what we focus on.  The season I'm in right now is this...I am truly asking God what and who have you called our church to be.  I don't want to be like any other church but I truly desire to be the church God has called us to be.

This has caused me to ask questions like:

• what do we do well
• what do we do because we feel we have to
• what comes naturally to us as a church
• what slows down our momentum 
• what do the people in our community actually want from a church...and should that 100% control what we do
• what are the things that keep us up at night because we are passionate about it
• what are the foundations we see in the first church in Acts that must be at the core of who we are
• what are ways we can begin to grow as a church body and see more people come to faith 
• how are we supposed to impact the world globally 

This is what I am working through these days.  Would really love it if you could help me pray through these questions and so much more.  I am not asking God to make us the best church in Chattanooga but what I am asking God is to help us BE the church that He has called us to be and reach the people he wants us to reach with the gospel.  

Sometimes I just think it's so easy to get distracted with the urgent that we miss the important.   

Random Thoughts

• I am in Chicago at a conference- so far so good
• God has been speaking some things into my spirit about the future of our church
• I have to make sure in the busyness of life that I keep my relationship with God and my family the PRIORITY.
• Sin is powerful and we have to fight to keep it out of our lives.
• Really felt good about the message God gave me this past Sunday on the topic of Eternal Security. 
• I would really like to figure out what my strengths are and do my best to use them in my leadership.  I feel like so many times I do things that are not my strengths and miss my calling.
• Prayer has to be in the center of everything
• Execution is key to any God-given vision
• For example, you know what automatic doors do right?  They open when you walk up to them.  Over the last few months I feel like I have been waiting for doors to open but I have not been moving at all. Just waiting on God.  I am starting to feel that it's time for some motion in my life and then the doors will open.
• I am trying to figure out what matters most when it comes to the life of a healthy church.
• Being obedient to the call on our lives is SO hard many times, but the most rewarding thing ever.
• I have been a reading a book on this trip called Steering Through Chaos, so far it's been a great read. Not sure you have ever thought about it like this but leading a church feels like Chaos, but that is where God has called me.  So, I have to learn how to stay the course and at the same time learn the art of charting new territory.
• This is very random...I was cutting my grass last week and I did something different.  I cut my back yard differently.  I normally cut it in a big square getting smaller and smaller.  But this time I broke the yard into 3 different sections.  You know some times the routines in life get old, but if we try to create a different rhythm in our routines we can get different perspective and the task still gets done.  So take something that you do but it's hard because you have done it the same way forever and try to accomplish it in a different way.
• I am asking God lately to really give me a heart of a shepherd for the people I am called to lead.  
• Ok I think I got all my Random Thoughts out today.  Hope everyone has a great day/week. 
• I pray that you will sense God's Spirit in your life as you go through your daily routines of life.

I must keep fighting

Over the last 12 weeks I have been really trying hard to get healthy.  It has by far been one of the hardest things I have ever done.  I have been working out 3 times a week at Fitness Together and road biking on my Fuji bike at least least three times a week.  

Two week ago I went to Albania and ever since then things have been super hard. Then this last week with Day Camp at our church and not feeling good I allowed some very bad habits of mine to sneak back into my routine.  I asked Mande at dinner tonight what in the world I was going to do.  She said, "Shannon you have to fight hard not to lose what you have been doing."  To be honest eating and exercising is SOOOO hard for me.  I have never done it consistently over 3 months-EVER!  

I came back in to my computer really just a little down and got on my computer and I was to Don Millers blog and his word hit me like ton of bricks, "so how are your habits robbing your dreams." Thats it - this week on a personal level has been very hard and because of that I let some bad habits back into my life. I keep telling myself "Shannon you are going to have weeks when it is easy, but there are going to be weeks when its hard.

I must not let my bad habits in my life on the hard week.  I am not sure if anyone can relate to this but if you can my must keep fighting.  Why you might ask..well because our dreams are with it! Believe it!!!!

 

Road Biking

I am getting so into road biking these days that I brought it to work to keep me motivated.  Who knows maybe one day soon I will ride me bike all the way to work.  Of course it would have to be  very beautiful day!!!

 

Easter at the City...countdown is on!!!

Easter at the City from Ethos Chattanooga on Vimeo.

Easter at the City Promo

Not this time...

 

Well today it happened again.  I became super stressed and felt like this dark cloud was over me all day.  It's so hard for me to process days like today.  The last few weeks things seemed to be going a lot  better.  Then out of no where I have a day like today.  So, what to do...

Well, I made a decision tonight to do what I have been doing the past few weeks--starting my days off with time with God.  Not really asking Him to decrease my work load but to help me and guide me as I work.  Yes to be honest when I look at my calendar I am a little overwhelmed but I believe that God can lead me to use my time more effective.  Also, I think He can lead me to be more strategic as I work--meaning knowing what do when and what not to do.  

So this time I am not giving into the enemies thoughts of pressure.  My heart will smile, my eyes will radiate the joy of the king.  Nope not this time...I am not giving in.  My entire household is sound asleep but I felt the need just to be with God tonight to listen and to quiet my spirit before him.  So, to all of us...when feelings rise up within us that cause us to want to retreat to our past my we raise our sails and catch the wind of God's spirit and allow His strength to guide us.

Just Saying...

When our desire for righteousness exceeds our desire for a relationship with God, the result is a counterfeit faith.

In the desert

In my message today out of no where the concept of going through a desert came out of my mouth.  The concept was that many times life feels like we are going through a desert--you know where life seems dry and lonely.  It is in that moment that you have two options...1 go back to where you started 2. keep pushing through the hard times and reach the destination that God has for you.

I am discovering that the desert can be a place to hear God's voice.  Also, it's a place to ask yourself if you really believe the promises that God tells us in His word.  My encouragement to you and me is to keep putting one foot in front of the other and don't give up.  The reward that is waiting will be worth it!  

 

Divided Aim

A divided aim leads to distraction, weakness, and disappointment!  This was a quote I read in a book today during some time I spent with God.  Then I was reminded of David in the bible.  He says, this in Ps. 27:4, One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.  

David had this amazing ability to chose something far greater than honor, wealth, position, or power.  He had made up his mind that there was one thing he wanted above all.  Above every pleasure and adventure that would come with leading a nation he clearly states that his greatest reward would be found in God. 

This is where I am at right now...well this is where I am trying to get.  That above all in my life my greatest reward would be God.  I want to be a man who is committed to pursuing God all the day of my life.  I am just an average guy who longs to be with the God of the universe!  

Encouraging Word

Today a friend in the UK gave this verse to me...those through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. heb.6:13

That confirmed so many things on this journey I am on right now.  What I am hearing God say right now is Shannon don't lose faith in what you know I have promised you.  Yes Shannon the time is not right now but have patience because the time is coming.  WOW those words are so encouraging!!