Travis Agnew

Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.

Christmas Service

by

We had a wonderful worship experience this Sunday as we celebrated Christmas.  Eli especially loved getting to play with all the candles on stage. We worshiped to: Christmas Offering – North Side Worship Winter Snow – Audrey Assad The First Noel – North Side Worship Angels We Have Heard on High – North Side Worship Joy to the World – …

READ MORE

Santa Claus is Worth Remembering

by

Since reposting Mark Driscoll’s article on redeeming Santa Claus, I’ve had a lot of good conversations.  I was also sent the following article from Dr. James Parker.  I had the privilege to sit under his teaching in a Philosophy of Religion course at Southern Seminary.  In addition to being brilliant, he just might well be the funniest person I have ever listened to in my life.  This article has been posted in a couple of different places, and I thought it was a fantastic, enlightening read.  Enjoy:

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) — In reflecting on this season of the year, I have often wondered how a Martian reporter would write a story about Christmas in the United States. If one only had the dominant cultural icons of TV, movies, news media and retail stores, my guess is that the Martian-viewing audience wouldn’t have a clue as to what Christmas is about.

They might think it has something to do with snowmen or reindeer or retail store sales. And if any particular person rose to the top in the public’s awareness, it would be a jolly secular guy at risk for stroke or cardiac arrest who likes to dress in red and let his beard grow.

Rather than just bemoan this fact, I assert that we need to reimage the myth of the modern-day Santa Claus.

Most people simply do not realize the rich ancient heritage behind the Santa Claus story. The secularized and sanitized contemporary version pales in comparison with the deeply Christian ethos and content of the original.

READ MORE

“Christmas is for Jesus! And We’re Gonna…”

by

Amanda is taking the boys to help with Meals on Wheels today.  At breakfast, I was trying to tell the boys that since it’s Christmas, we need to serve others because Jesus came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).

They were excited, but what Obadiah said next had me rolling in stitches (or wondering if he was a prophet).

READ MORE

Why Are Kids So Angry These Days?

by

Kids are angry. So many of this up and coming generation seem to have more than a chip on their shoulder. They are angry. They are volatile. They are unable to restrain their fists or their tongues.

With every year, the culture seems to be driving families apart. In Paul’s instructions to the Romans, he describes what a depraved culture looks like. In a list highlighting homosexual sins, malicious acts, and haters of God, Paul also includes that a culture devoid of God will be characterized by children who are “disobedient to parents” (Rom. 1:30).

Have you ever wondered why it seems like this next generation is so angry and so disobedient? While we can blame media influence or peer pressure, in reality, one of the main reasons comes from within the home. Take a minute and read Ephesians 6:4:

READ MORE

O Holy Night [Recap]

by

What a powerful night.

I wanted to say huge thank you to all those who helped out last night for O Holy Night: A Night of Worship.  Out of all the encouraging comments that I received from that night, I think the most reoccurring and resounding comment was: “Last night was a picture of our church.  It was us.  We simply focused on worshiping Jesus.”  I cannot say thank you enough to:

  • From those preparing the communion for 1000 people
  • From those welcoming people at the front doors
  • From those who practiced very challenging music and led in worship (15 songs – that’s a bunch to work on!)
  • From those who worked behind the stage to make everything look and sound beautiful
  • From those elders serving communion
  • From staff that had to do so much to prepare for that night
  • To each of you who came and worshiped our Savior with us – thank you!

What a wonderful night to worship Jesus together!  May we never take the opportunity for granted that we get to “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Heb 4:16) in worship with our church family!

Can’t wait to do it again this Sunday @ 11:00.  Hope to see you there!

Last night, we worshiped to:

READ MORE

Do You Want to Be Made Well?

by

Whoa.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

This morning at North Side was ridiculous.  Jeff’s message from John 5 was one of the most powerful messages I have heard.  The thought that there are many people complaining about their situations but really don’t want to get well resonated so much today.  Still processing all of that goodness.  If you didn’t get to hear it, check it out here on Monday morning.

Today, we worshiped to:

READ MORE

Husbands, God Won’t Answer Your Prayers

by

Men are called to love and to lead their wives.  You might desire to do this but unsure of how to go about doing it. Maybe you’ve never seen what it looks like for a godly man to love his wife. Maybe you have tried but feel like you keep finding resistance from your wife. No matter how your wife

Courageous Resolutions

by

I’m in need to rally some prayer partners together again.  I’ve been so humbled to be a part of this Courageous movement by helping develop the Honor Begins at Home curriculum that is available in January.  And, for whatever reason, it appears God doesn’t have me done with this work of ministering to fathers just yet. In addition to the

Show Yourself a Man (So That Boys Will Know the Way)

by

David is known for many things in the Bible.

He was anointed as king at an early age. He killed Goliath as a young man when all the bravest soldiers in Israel were hiding. He made worship a big deal with God’s people.

He was a man after God’s own heart.

While he sinned greatly during his life, he knew the power of honest repentance and would find his way back to God. After a long life filled with ups and downs, David attempted to summarize his desire for his son, Solomon in some of his last words on earth.

Do you know what this man desired most for his son?

READ MORE

+ MORE POSTS