Kirk Bowman's blog

So looking forward to continuing our Fearless series this Sunday.

I went through a bunch of scripture this past Sunday and wanted to put them all in declaration form. I am a big believer in declaring the word over our lives. So here ya go:

God has not given me a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Because I am righteous, I am as bold as a lion.

In this world I will face pressures from time to time, but I will take courage and cheer up; for Jesus has overcome the world.

I am a child of God and I have the spirit of an overcomer; because greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.

Whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- my faith.

God has granted to me His precious and magnificent promises, by them I am a partaker of the divine nature,

I am building my life on the promises of God, not on the pressures of the world

Thanks be to God, who gives me the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God, who always leads me in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through me the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

I will not be overcome by evil, but I will overcome evil with good.

I will humble myself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt me at the proper time,

I will cast all my cares on Him because He cares for me. I will live carefree before God; because He is most careful with me.

No weapon formed against me will prosper in any way. This is my heritage as a servant of God

God will cause all things to work together for my good. Everything always works out for me because God causes it to do so.

Today is my wife's birthday. She is such an incredible person who is so easy to love. This is a little video our team put together for her. We showed it Sunday in church and everybody gave her 2 (two!) standing ovations. She totally deserves it. And more!!


PS Birthday Video 2009 from Rock Church on Vimeo.

Yesterday was one of the most moving and powerful services we’ve ever had in our church. No hype. It was amazing.

We started our new “Fearless” series and I was encouraging people to have the spirit of an overcomer. Choose faith to run your life, not fear.

At the end of our service, we had people write the greatest fear they are facing on a “fearless” card and nail it to the cross. We thought a few people would respond. We were wrong. Everyone seemed to want to nail their fear to the cross. People were streaming to the cross, crying and so moved by the Holy Spirit. It was a moment. The room was so thick with God’s presence.

Can’t wait to hear the testimonies of God’s power and love helping people.


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Pretty darn excited about our new series starting this Sunday - Fearless

I've got a great feeling about this one. Bring a friend!! This will be powerful.


Fearless Series Trailer from Rock Church on Vimeo.

I'm a little late with this, but these are definitely my two favorite Superbowl ads.



What, I can't flex the golden pipes?!




Why don't you try reading the rules?, Shankapottomus

Two new phrases that will proably enter my vocabulary
And annoy everyone around me :)

I just had the privilege of attending a great round table with Christine Caine from Hillsong Church. It was hosted by Matt Fry of C3 Church right outside of Raleigh. Matt leads an amazing church. 10 years old and already running 4,000 on Sundays. He and his wife, Martha, are so real and down to earth. We enjoyed a great dinner at their home – Daniel Fast friendly! They are a great couple leading a great church.

Thought I’d share my notes from Christine’s talk – and our discussions - on what makes Hillsong Church work:

Hillsong is not trying to be a worship movement
Mainly focused on reaching the lost in their city
Bigger church - bigger issues

1. Ownership
Because it's our church
Don’t come because of great programs
It has to be your vision - not just get behind my vision

2. Relationship
Close friends with the Houston’s but always keep them as senior pastors
Doing life on the run
Make the adjustments
Change and transition are not the same thing

3. Loyalty
Presencing the senior pastor well at every level
Absalom drew people to himself
This is especially needed with multiple campuses
Loyalty does not come by being paid
Christine has never been on paid staff at Hillsong

4. Flexibility
“The world of the moving goal posts”
So needed at high levels of leadership
Has to be present in Holy Spirit led church
Systems are to serve us - not us serve them
Spontaneity essential

5. Longevity
Hillsong doesn't grow overnight
She is least at 20 years of being on the team
Senior leader has to provide the right umbrella for this
90% of their leaders come out of the youth ministry

6. Submission
Come under the mission of the church
Matt. 8 - under authority

7. Passionate
No bureaucracy
Don't institutionalize
Nothing slick about them
Stay Undignified
Vision is as strong as the cause it's attached to

8. Empowerment
Especially the next generation
Absalom built a monument to himself because he had no sons
Not built around a man

The prize is always home
Not - the prize is out

Their Leadership pipeline is through Connect Groups
99.9 per cent unstructured leadership development

Back in the day, I saw a lot of abuses and problems with the typical “elected deacon” approach to church government.

Authority was given to deacons – who were not called to full time ministry - and responsibility was given to pastors – to pretty much carry out the deacons wishes. This meant the church was not being led by the vision and calling of the ministry but by people who were not really called to ministry.

The first time I saw a church led by the ministry, I was amazed at the positive difference it produced.

Since then, I have been completely committed to the “elders” of the church being comprised of people called to full time ministry.

In my reaction to all this, I do think I went a little overboard in the past in trying to insure only the ministry was leading the church.

Now – our church has an amazing advisory team built out of some phenomenal leaders in our church. The primary leadership and direction for our church still flows out of the ministry leadership. Our advisory team serves as eyes and ears for our church – as well as sharing the load of creating amazing church. We invite their unfiltered input on everything but ultimate authority for direction still resides with the elders.

We just met with our advisory team last night and they are the best! What a great time - eating, praying, sharing ideas and laughing together. The healthiest leadership team we have ever had in our church.

Matthew 12:15 – The Message
Jesus, knowing they were out to get Him, moved on. A lot of people followed Him, and He healed them all.

Interesting – There were people who didn’t want to follow Jesus. They were even antagonistic toward Him. Out to get Him.

Jesus moved on.

A lot of people followed Him – they all got healed.

Leadership Lesson:
Move on from those who don’t want to follow your leadership.
Bless those "lot of people" who do follow you. Enjoy them.

I love all the celebration revolving around the inauguration of our president. It is important to make an event out of things that really matter.

Too often, we let birthdays or anniversaries or other special moments of life pass us by without making a big deal about. I think we should – make a big deal about it.

Don’t let the big moments of life pass you by without some kind of recognition.

Just for fun. Candler Jones on prayer. From our CORE series



Candler jones 2 from Rock Church on Vimeo.

For you locals - don't miss this Sunday - it's going to be great - CORE continues