We had a very enlightening leadership team discussion yesterday. This is some great leadership development stuff. As we talked about tasks, responsibilities, and opportunities, Jeff asked us a question: “Are you more of a dreamer, detailer, or doer?” Here’s how he described it: Dreamer – This is the menu. You see the big picture. You love thinking about the big …
After last Sunday’s message, I have received many questions concerning why we choose Ethiopia. I answered why here a few months ago. I’ve also been asked about the need in Ethiopia and how to get more information on the adoption process there. I want to make sure that I say this before going into the need in this country: Adoption …
3rd week of “A Pastor’s Wish List.” On this third installment, today’s big idea was all about “Accept Divine Interruptions.” The Christmas story is all about God interrupting the lives of normal people and doing extraordinary things. What our pastor really wants for Christmas is for us to accept the invitations God gives us throughout our lives. God wants to …
North Side Worship’s Christmas worship album, “Offering” has been released for almost two weeks, and I have been extremely humbled by the encouraging words we have received. We are pretty excited about the fact you think it sounds great. We are even more excited about how many of you have been giving the CDs out and sharing the love of …
In my love of bad church signs, I thought I would share with you some of the most intriguing church signs of this Christmas season. Here we go: 1. NO OFFERING PEACE ON EARTH – I mean does a church want to advertise they can’t provide that. 2. SANTA CLAUS NEVER DIED FOR ANYONE – I actually kind of like …
It is deadline day for the January/February Compass which means we are running around doing last minute touch-ups to the magazine. Our team is knocking it out of the park to make this edition extra special. A few months ago, I tried to figure out how to expand this great piece and even make it more effective in connecting and …
Today was week 2 of “A Pastor’s Wish List.” This was the Sunday I have been waiting for: “Give Orphans a Home.” The band did a great job leading us today in worship. I sat in with them in the last service, but since I was away this week, John took charge and did a fantastic job. Today, they led …
Today was a celebratory day for me. School is forever complete! Here are the top 10 quotes from today’s festivities in no particular order: “Graduates of the Southern Seminary class of December 2009, if you aim to finish what you start in ministry, you will aim too low or finish what is not Christ’s.” -Dr. Al Mohler “The Christian ministry …
I wanted to present an “Offering” edition of North Side Storytellers for the song, “What, Then, is Christmas?” Take it away, bud: Guest Blogger: Woody Nivens Christmas was a very special time for me as a kid. It was my mother’s favorite time of the year. She would spend days decorating our house, and she always enjoyed hosting Christmas parties. …
I was awoken last night at @ 5:20 by Amanda hitting me and yelling, “Tornado! Trav get Obie!” In a daze, I ran through the house to a sound that seemed like the windows were about to shatter and the house was about to be lifted up. I grabbed Obadiah out of the crib fast asleep. He was startled by …
I will never forget that conversation this year. I talked with a guy who said every time he came to church, the preacher was always talking about money. That revealed two things: 1) He had been to one of our church services twice within the last year, and 2) money had become his god. And we cannot serve two masters. …
We started a new sermon series today entitled “A Pastor’s Wish List.” Finances are an important part of life and they are given to achieve the same purpose as all other resources: to bring glory to God. If we obey God’s teaching in the area of finances, His church will be able to accomplish more in ministry and we will …
Released: December 6, 2009 Joy to the World Angels We Have Heard on High Come Thou Long Expected Jesus Come Lord Jesus (Agnew original) The First Noel Infant Holy Infant Lowly Silent Night O Holy Night Go Tell It On the Mountain O Come All Ye Faithful What, Then, is Christmas? (Nivens original) The Arrival (Agnew loop meets scriptural bliss) …
Last night, I had our band and spouses over for some fellowship time and the group’s first opportunity to listen to the “Offering” Christmas Worship CD all the way through. We were missing a few last night, but most everyone involved in the project could come. I just loved watching their faces as they listened to it. Most individuals had …
A long-awaited package is in the mail and that means North Side Worship’s newest album will be released this Sunday at North Side. The cover is above which was designed by the ever-so-talented, Cory Wilson. Polly Brown was so gracious to let us use her hand for the cover – thanks! This Christmas worship album was produced by the grand-master …
Thanksgiving holiday was a great week for our family. Having some days off of work created a lot of family time for us. While most things were great this week, one addition to Obadiah’s vocabulary changed family morale greatly. Obadiah’s new favorite word is “no” (actually it is “nooooo” because he holds it out long and shakes his head). “Good …
I really wasn’t trying to cause a stink. I just made a simple Facebook post one night that stated: Travis Agnew Wonders what could happen if the church put a half of the enthusiasm into Jesus that we do into college football rivalry week. I got some responses. A lot of responses. Don’t get me wrong – I love college …
We concluded the Wilderness series today at North Side. What a powerful November. When we thought it would be a good idea to do this series a few months ago, but we had no idea how critical the timing was. God knew. He made sure we did this series cause he knew the type of wilderness experiences would be happening …
To remind ourselves of the blessings of God, the Agnew men made themselves look like this. Happy Thanksgiving!
Yesterday, you might have spotted members of North Side’s staff cruising around in the NS van in random places with video cameras and all. Why was Jeff seen on a John Deere tractor (and many other things)? It’s part of his attempt at a wish list. When I say random, I mean random. You will be able to some of …
I’m teaching RELI 101: Sacred Texts & Ideas at Lander University again next semester. The time for the class is Tues-Thurs from 1:15-2:45. I’ve had some questions about the course, so I thought I would provide some answers this morning. What does “Sacred Texts & Ideas” mean anyway? I didn’t come up with the title, in fact, before me, no …
Jeff and I normally catch up Sunday mornings at about 7:30 in the video room. We’ll talk about the weekend or a crazy idea we had over the weekend. I love it on those mornings when he walks in and says he’s going to call an audible. Jeff preached the “Weakened Defenses” message he had planned on preaching in about …
Last night, in our worship team training, I asked the question: when does excellence in leading worship become a distraction? As we are spending this month focusing on worship value #3: capability – leading with excellence, a tension arose in my mind. Psalm 33:3 says: “Sing to Him a new song, play skillfully with a shout of joy.” As musicians, …
I decided to try out the pre-mastered version of our Christmas CD on Obadiah the other morning. You will hear a snippet of the first track, “Joy to the World,” and you will behold my son’s stellar dance moves (at some point, you will still hear audio but the video will freeze, that was around the time Obie tried to …
I am officially forever done with school. Friday morning I mailed off five copies of my 167 page doctoral project to be bound. Later that afternoon, I filled out the last bits of paperwork needed for graduation. The only thing I have left to do is walk across a stage and determine if Dr. Al Mohler is a hugger …
Last night in C-Group, we spent some extra time studying Exodus 32 concerning the Israelites fashioning the golden calf when Moses was MIA from the group for too long. Moses is receiving the 10 commandments and other important info from the LORD Himself, and the people get restless. They encourage Aaron to help God out, and so Aaron gets everyone …
Another great Sunday @ North Side! We took some time at the beginning of the service today to get everyone at church to fill out a survey today. The survey was a way of evaluating how connected our church is. If you didn’t get to pick one up today, make sure to get one next week at the information desk …
Today is the day! We are uploading the CD graphics and mailing the audio files for North Side Worship’s Christmas CD to start production. We have a few things to finish before sending it off, but I am so pleased with it. I can’t wait for you to hear it. The plan is for it to be released Sunday, December …
Our college group at my church was traveling to invest in some children at a missions project during the summer, and I was driving one of the vans full of students. I had just finished reading Dave Ramsey’s, The Total Money Makeover, and I was befuddled at some of the stats I read. I polled those riding on the van …
If you are reading this and you are a Lander BCM student, you probably have already received your letter in the mail. This letter was different than most mail you receive, this is a letter you sent to yourself. You wrote this on September 17th. I told you that I would give you about two months before putting it in …
It’s going to be one of those exciting but busy weeks. As Monday begins, I’m glad to have OG here with me in the office for an extra set of hands – even if they are constantly hitting me. Here’s a rundown of what’s going on so you can either attend, help, or pray. Finish Mix on Christmas Album – …
Second week in the Wilderness series. This picture is of Fred the Manequin who watches over our tech team in the back on Sunday mornings. He has served the last few weeks as a stand-in for Jeff as our light and camera techs work some things out. He has scared many people over the last few weeks as they walk …
This week’s worship team training starts us focusing on our third installment (#1 was humility, and #2 was credibility). Worship Team Value #3: Capability – leading with excellence Big idea: We are better than I. We do want to lead with excellence. Our musicians, vocalists, and technicians, we want to lead with quality. We do so not to draw people’s …
We had scheduled the next Emerald City Worship to take place on Tuesday, November 10th. As we have been approaching time, we have experienced some scheduling difficulties, some AVL issues, and some stuff just wasn’t feeling right. The approaching evening was feeling like a burden to me, and it was never meant to be that. Then Rob Dempsey from His …
We started a new series today called “The Wilderness.” This series will examine the reasons for and the temptations during the “wilderness” experiences of life. A wilderness experience is a particularly difficult or trying time whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual. The entire series will be built around 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 with selected passages from the Book of Exodus and the …
This Sunday, we are starting a new series called “The Wilderness” which means it’s new Compass time. We are real excited about this edition. For those of you in attendance at the shepherd training led by Jeff, we discussed adding a guide for you as shepherds to lead your group. Here’s how each week will be broken down: CONNECT YOUR …
Last night, we had a special tech team training and appreciation event. I knew this before last night, but it served as a great reminder – our tech team is incredible! They are sincere servants. They have massive skills and incredible hearts! It is an honor to serve with them. While we spent time vision casting and fellowshiping, we also …
For those who are rhythmically challenged, please do not attempt this at home. Or anywhere. You might see this as a bit extreme, but what manner do you give to the Lord? Are you excited about it or go begrudgingly?
(Mal. 2:13-15) 13 And this is another thing you do: you cover the LORD’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning, because He no longer respects your offerings or receives [them] gladly from your hands. 14 Yet you ask, “For what reason?” Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have acted …
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