Cody Thomas

Back in the day, more specifically antebellum America days (late 1700s-early 1800s), church denominations utilized a system of pastoring called “circuit riding”. Here’s how it worked. In that time period, much of frontier America was made up of small towns, or barely even that. Most of the frontier was very sparsely populated. Most areas barely had enough people to create a decent sized congregation and especially couldn’t pay for a full-time pastor to stay there. So, these “circuit riders” would be appointed a circuit of rural villages and unorganized settlements. They would travel this circuit of settlements, ministering to each town’s congregation as they were passing through.

This form of pastoring, although probably not the most ideal, seemed to work well for these small settlements. There was no way to pay a pastor to stay there full time, so it only made sense that each congregation in an area covering five or six towns could provide some financial support, which, when put together, could support a pastor for all of them.

Well, these are different times and we certainly live in a different America. Yes, lots of America is fairly rural, but nothing like the frontier. So I don’t think the need of circuit riding senior pastors is quite necessary so much. However, I want to propose something else.

With the emergence of so many “megachurches” in America over the past decade, I think we have seen the extreme benefit of having a large church support staff with people working in very specific skilled areas. I mean, think about it. How much better would ministry be if the youth pastor wasn’t also the “Weekend Service Production Director”, “Worship Leader”, “Web Designer”, “Graphic Designer”, “Tech Guru”, and “Video Editor”? Instead of the youth pastor (who should be freed to actually spend his/her week on reaching students) designing the church’s website just because he/she knows what a blog is, how much better would ministry be if you had people who are actually gifted and skilled in those areas doing those things?

I know much of what I mentioned is technology-based skill sets. However, with the exponential rise of the use of the web and technology in general as a means of advancing the Kingdom and sharing the Gospel, I think that those skills are vital to a growing church. In today’s age and society, the web is the largest new frontier for advancing the Gospel and creating community. Also, the use of graphic design, sermon series branding, video media, etc. is becoming more and more a vital source for marketing and using art/design to tell the redemptive story of the Gospel. Graphic design and video media are the stained glass windows of today.

So here’s my point. Back in the 1700s, these frontier congregations couldn’t afford to hire a pastor for their church. However, denominations knew that they had to advance the Gospel into the frontier that was open to be won, so they banned together to be able support a “circuit rider” for their area. Today, most churches certainly can NOT afford to hire tech or design people. They don’t have a budget for a video editor or a web strategist. I believe that today’s churches need to realize that their is a new frontier (web/tech/media) to be won for the Kingdom, and they can do so by banning together to support what I would call today’s circuit riders.

What if five, six, or maybe a dozen or more churches in one area or one denomination banned together to each pay a “circuit riding” web designer/strategist who did work for each church dividing up his/her days or weeks between those churches? Or what about a “circuit riding” graphic designer who designed all the sermon series brandings, bulletins, flyers, and more for all the churches in a denominational district or area? Or maybe a “circuit riding” designer who did both web and graphic design? Many churches couldn’t afford a good full time designer, but they might be able to afford a good designer a few hours a week. And if just a few churches did that, we would have a modern circuit rider…or maybe “circuit designer”.

I truly think, if taken seriously and done strategically, this concept of “circuit riding” ministers of design and ministers of technology has the possibility of creating better equipped churches for reaching more people with the Gospel and advancing the Kingdom.

Alright people. Bring your thoughts.

Steven Furtick, lead pastor at Elevation Church, has a remarkable story. Elevation Church (in case you haven’t heard about them) began almost 3 years ago and is now running around 5,000 people at its three portable campuses in Charlotte, NC. His message at Catalyst was more motivational and encouraging than it was “nuts and bolts” of ministry. He did BRING it though. Quite inpiring.

• God made me a promise when I was 16 when he birthed a dream in my heart to begin a life-changing church in a metropolitan city. It has now been over a decade since that promise to get the payoff.
• The space between the promise and the payoff is called the process.
• Hang on to the promise of God during the pain of the process.
• Be faithful in the process. Don’t get your eyes on the “big” thing or the “successful” place—just be faithful in the process.
• After David was anointed, where did he go? Back to the fields to be faithful in his role as a shepherd boy.
• There’s got to be more to life than putting money in a 401, buying a boat, and then dying.
• Don’t forget the promise and forfeit the payoff because you fainted in the process.
• There’s more in you. There’s more in you. There’s more in you.
• Go back to the situation God has you in and give it all you have. Go back and preach that next sermon like it’s going to be your last. Lead those hymns with the utmost passion. Go to that next board meeting and remember the promise that God birthed in your heart. Go back to what God has placed in your hands and serve in that situation with all the passion that you have!

NEXT Conference was a good two days of learning more about church planting and launching strategies. Honestly, I wasn’t completely convinced by their launch model, but we still gleaned a ton of info from the conference. Travis and I also had a great two days of just getting to know each other more, brainstorm about a ton of decisions, and cast some more detailed vision for where the church is going.  Overall, it was a great experience! I can’t wait until we go to Catalyst next month…for FREE! Thank you to one sweet awesome friend for making that happen!

Today, I’m heading out to Anderson to meet up with Justin Land for lunch.  JLand is one of the worship/production pastors at Newspring and the dude is awesome!  I met him a couple Sundays ago at the Greenville campus and he has such a heart for the kingdom. Plus he can belt it!  I can’t wait to pick his brain today!

As I continue to attempt graphic design stuff for the church, I am realizing more and more how much I DON’T know! So, I’ve started posting my logo design ideas on a group on Flickr called “Church Marketing Lab“. It’s a group done by Church Marketing Sucks in which you can post your projects to get feedback from tons of other church graphic designers.  It’s been a great help already!

We also might be getting connected with a church planters coaching network at Catalyst!  Very exciting news!

Realizing that you can’t do it on your own and that you don’t know everything is one of the biggest first steps to success in church leadership.

About eight months ago, I left seminary feeling that more school was not where God wanted me at this point in my life. I left not knowing where God would take me. Not knowing what God had in store for me. I did Asbury online courses in the spring, but I really didn’t like online courses. I continually looked for where God was taking me, but nothing opened up. I had many different experiences during this waiting period though. Formed a band and led worship for youth camps this summer. Played electric guitar with ALIVE for the summer. Met a lot of interesting and amazing people.

But God did not give us an absolutely open door… until now. God has provided for us! As of Friday, God has supplied for me three jobs in some amazing God-sized events!

So the details? What are my jobs? Where are we going?

We believe that God is sending us to join Thrive Church (temp site…I will DEFINITELY be revamping that soon!), a new church that will be launching in Simpsonville, SC!

So where is Simpsonville you might be asking? It’s right outside Greenville.

(click the image if it’s too small to read)

At Thrive Church, I will be the Creative Arts Pastor. I’ll be heading up all the music, media, and other creative elements for service planning. I might also be wearing some other hats as well, possibly dealing with developing leaders or assimilation/discipleship issues (getting people from visiting to serving).

As I said, I have THREE jobs now! On Friday, God setup a providential appointment for me and granted me a GREAT job at Panera Bread in Simpsonville to help supplement my income. I will also be leading worship and loving on some students at a student ministry in Mauldin on Sunday nights for some decent weekly money.

This position is exactly what I feel like God has gifted me and molded me for at this point in my life! I am passionate about music, seeing people worship in song and in lifestyle, and honoring God through excellence and creativity in service planning! I’m so stoked!

Why upstate SC? Because if the stats are true, almost 80% of upstate SC is considered unchurched. What’s the definition of “unchurched”? Well, to give you an idea, the definition of “churched” in this case is attending church at least once every two months. Wow. I doubt you can call that “churched” either! THAT’S why upstate SC! There is a need for people to follow Jesus and intentionally be on mission…even at the buckle of the Bible Belt!

Simpsonville is a booming city! It has been growing like crazy over the last decade! Most people in Simpsonville are not actually “from there”. Most people moved there. It’s a young city too! The average age is in the lower 30’s. I doubt many SC cities are that young. I’m already beginning to love the city! Plus it’s close to Greenville! Double awesome!

Thanks to EVERYBODY who has been with me on this journey since leaving SWU! Thanks to everyone who has understood how insane this journey has been for me and have been patient and supportive as we have tried to seek God for direction. I don’t expect everybody to understand this journey or why I’ve been on it (I’m still figuring out all of God’s providence in it). I don’t expect everybody to understand why it’s taken so long. But thank you to all who have been supportive, even when you might not understand my journey like I do.

So how can you get involved? Yes, I said involved. Yes, I said you. You don’t even have to live in Simpsonville!

First, PRAYER! This is GOD-SIZED and I need tons of people that will be willing to continually remember me and Kindel in your prayers as we set out to love Jesus by loving the people of Simpsonville! I am a STRONG advocate for having prayer partners, those who are on the FRONT LINES for us!

Second, FINANCES! GOD-SIZED things need GOD-SIZED money! Starting a church is no easy task, especially without a decent congregation to fund it! As many in church planting do, I am asking that people partner with me in reaching the people of Simpsonville by becoming a financial supporter! I will be working for the church for free at the beginning and possibly for quite a long time until the church can become financially independent. So, I need partners who commit to giving a gift each month for either one or two years to supplement my income. If I can’t have financial supporters, I’ll have to be working tons of other jobs to make money, which will leave me with NO time to focus on working for the church. The more time I can devote to the church, the easier it will be for us to be on mission and grow His kingdom!

Do you have time to join us in prayer? Do you have just $25 a month that you can put back out on mission for Jesus? Or maybe even $100 a month? Maybe even more if God has blessed you so you can bless others? If you feel like God could be asking you to partner with me in the mission of reaching Simpsonville, please email me about your interest.

God is on mission in Simpsonville! I am on the edge of my seat anticipating what God will do there!

This week has been wild!  Lots of up moments and lots of down moments.  However, God has been in it all!  God has definitely shown His favor on my behalf!  He has provided us with direction, vision, affirmation, confirmation, and, as of today, two jobs!

Come back late Sunday night for the big announcement!

I’m currently reading through Chazown by Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv.  The whole premise of the book is that God has a vision for our lives and we should be in an intentional pursuit of finding that chazown (Hebrew for “vision”) for our lives.  We should not “just stumble halfheartedly through life hoping tomorrow will be better than today.  No plan.  No dream.  Mostly just existing.  Hoping for a break” (16).  Here’s some more excerpts that God is using to mold me.

When you’re living God’s vision for your life, you spring out of bed with excitement.  When someone asks if you like what you do, you shout “I love it!”  (19)

When there is no vision that you have been placed on earth to matter deeply to other people, and reveal God’s love and power to them, you live in loneliness and your relationships perish.
When there is no vision for a godly family, you have a 50 percent chance of ending up divorced.
When there is no vision that your body is the temple of God’s Spirit–property on loan from Him–your physical health slips away.  Your exuberance fades.
When there is no vision for a financially wise lifestyle, you can live in the richest country on earth and still be drowning in debt.
When there is no vision for meaningful work, people live for five o’clock.  They really just exist.  Their goal is to survive–to pay bills, stay married, keep the kids out of jail…
But you and I were made for so much more.  (20)

How did Nehemiah receive a Chazown from God?  At the end of Israel’s seventy years of exile, he got permission to return to Jerusalem.  He discovered his vision when he looked at the destroyed city walls and he wondered, “Why won’t someone do something about these walls?” (See Nehemiah 2:11-17.)  His vision came from a burden, something that bothered him, something that wasn’t the way it was supposed to be.  And Nehemiah devoted his life to solving the problem.  (30)

Joseph was able to look back and see that God’s work in him had to be accomplished before God could work through him and fulfill his vision.  Setbacks are often setups for God to act.  When you seek God and He gives you your Chazown, He will also start working in you, so that you’ll be ready when the time comes for Him to work through you.  (34)

When you are in touch with your God-given core values, that’s exactly how you will think and live.  Your core values will rearrange and direct your energies, your time, your thoughts.  If you ignore them, sooner or later you’ll be miserable.  If you identify and pursue them, you’ll unleash your potential and set yourself up for fulfillment and success.  What is most important in your life?  Where do you refuse to bend?  Your answer is a core value.  (39)

The difference between the truth that you know and the truth that you live equals the pain that you experience.  (48)

Wow.  God is definitely teaching me a ton!  I’m still reading through the book.  I’ll post more as I get through the book.

“Because when I was young and I’d get an A on a history test or whatever, I’d get this good feeling about all the things that I could be. And then I never become any of them.”
Quote by Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith) from the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness.

I never want to look back on my life and come to the same realization.

After church in the morning, I will be leaving for camp! I’ll be meeting up with the band and taking all the equipment up to the camp to set up, sound check, and stuff. Then I’ll be sitting in on a counselors’ meeting and speaking shortly to them about their part in worship and loving these kids. Then, the teens come on Monday!

Over the next two weeks, I am really hoping to spend a lot of extra time seeking God and waiting on hearing from Him. Kindel and I have a lot of decisions to make in the next couple months dealing with ministry opportunities and where we are supposed to go. I have a few job opportunities in front of me that could be where God is taking us, but we have no clear direction about any of them yet. A couple of them seem to be great opportunities, but we don’t know which way God is taking us. There are pros and cons weighing in each opportunity. So, during my free time at the next two weeks of camp, I plan to find extended times of reading, praying, and seeking the way and place in which God wants to channel my passions. Please pray for me and Kindel as we seek His face and His guidance.

These verses are at the heart of my prayers and thoughts:

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. [Psalm 9:10]

Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. [Psalm 27:7-9]

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. [Psalm 119:2]

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.” [Jeremiah 29:11-14]

Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. [1 Corinthians 10:24]

For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. [1 Corinthians 10:33]

Please pray for us that God will give us peace, direction and a passion to go where He wants us to go to spread His love.