Recently I asked Rylee what kind of snack she wanted.  She replied, “goldfish” referring to the orange childrens cracker every parent with young children know about.  I went to the pantry, but couldn’t find any goldfish, so I countered Rylee’s request with pretzels.  However she was dead set on having goldfish.  So I tried to explain to her that we were out, and didn’t have any goldfish.  Pretzels are really good alternative after all, right?  Rylee responded by saying “I’ll help you find some goldfish”.  She proceeded to march to the pantry and within 5 seconds pulled out a bag of…..goldfish crackers.

I totally missed them.  I couldn’t believe it.  How could a 2 year-old find in 5 seconds what I was convinced wasn’t there?

Rylee reminded me of a vital lesson all of us need to be aware of: We all need another set of eyes.  How many times have I had a poor attitude and not been able to see it?  How many times have I let pride and selfish ambition take up residence in my heart and not be able to see it? How many times has there been an obvious wise choice, but I somehow missed it?  The answer to all of those questions is: too many times.  You see, we all have times when we are blinded to the obvious.  We all have blind spots – many of which we are not even aware exist.  This is why we need other people who love us and care for us to speak truth into our lives.

Is it possible that there are some things in your life that you’ve been missing?  Not sure? Find a good friend and just ask.

- Brad

For resources and daily devotionals that can assist you in your own personal time of prayer and fasting, click the Prayer and Fasting image below.

- Brad

I can never express how grateful I am to the many people of Discovery who have made this journey.  I am also so very thankful to Scott Cagle and the whole NorthStar Church family for welcoming us with such a warm embrace.

Chris Tomlin’s lyrics come to mind:

“For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done
In this city”

It was a great way to start the new chapter! I can’t wait to see what God has in store!

- Brad

Dear Church Family and Friends,

This Sunday is Discovery Church’s last at Farragut High School.  It brings back a flood of memories for me, and no doubt many of you.  From our first preview back in September of 2010 when we had no carts or even our own Sound System for that matter!  The past year has been a tremendous one filled with challenges and great moments of victory.  We’re going to share and reflect on many of those this Sunday.  At 10am we’re having a church wide breakfast that everyone is invited to be a part of.  At 11am we’ll have a family worship service looking back at what God has done, and looking forward to What God is going to do.  We will have nursery available for children 5 and under.  Elementary Kids are encouraged to spend the morning with us!

I want to be clear on point.  This is not the end of the story.  This is simply the conclusion of a great chapter.  The story will continue because we are joining NorthStar as ONE church with ONE mission.  Discovery and NorthStar are both God’s church and Jesus is the real Senior Pastor.  I look forward to the days ahead with you and members of our new church family.  God is at work.  He is moving and preparing us for His purposes.  His plan is infinitely greater than ours.  We are privileged to be able to trust the universe maker with our future!

Have a blessed week! See you Sunday!

All Because of Jesus,

Brad Raby
Lead Pastor, Discovery Church

Dear Friends,

Sunday, November 20th I made a major announcement concerning the future of Discovery Church.  Hebrews 11:8 says, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going”.  As a church we are embarking on a similar journey.  On December 11^th we will come together with NorthStar Church as one church to continue on with the same mission we’ve been on for the past year: To help people discover life in Jesus Christ.  NorthStar and Discovery Church have shared a close friendship since our inception.  In late fall of 2010 they graciously prayed over our launch team in one of their services.  In that service, Scott Cagle reminded us and the congregation of NorthStar that we really were one church – both on the same team for the Gospel and the Kingdom of God.  I had no idea that a year later we would see how true that really was.  Not only are we kindred in mission, but also in philosophy and goals.  That along with the clear moving of the Holy Spirit has called us to move together as one.  For the full public announcement you can watch the message I delivered to Discovery Church.  Below is the message I shared with Discovery Sunday and some Frequently Asked Questions about the merger that I hope will provide some more clarity to this decision.

FAQ

1.) How did this come about?
This move began in the heart of Scott Cagle, Pastor of NorthStar Church. Over the last couple of years Scott and I have become good friends.  We share a common bond and heart for ministry.  In August he asked to meet with me.  During our meeting he shared that he felt the Lord’s leading to approach me about joining the leadership team at NorthStar Church and subsequently joining Discovery Church with NorthStar.  Initially I was shocked and flattered, but hadn’t ever considered that something like this would be a possibility.  I was confident in my calling to Knoxville and my work with Discovery Church. Frankly we were happy leading this new baby church.  Discovery Church was young and small, but on mission here in Knoxville. I told Scott I would pray about it for a couple of weeks.  For two weeks Julie and I prayed and sought God’s will as to whether we should even discuss the move or not.  In the end I did not have peace to call Scott back and say thanks, but no thanks.  This led to several subsequent meetings, prayer, and wise counsel from trusted leaders and friends.   A mentor asked me 2 penetrating questions during this time: 1) Brad, do you want what God wants MORE than you want what you want?  2) Set aside what makes logical sense and ask yourself this question: What is the Holy Spirit saying?  The answer to the first question was yes.  I would be willing to change course and do something different if that is what God wanted me to do.  The answer to the second question was that the Holy Spirit was speaking clearly: move.

What do you do when God moves? Hebrews 11:8 has become my call.  When God calls you to move, even if you don’t know all the answers, even if you don’t understand – just be obedient.

So over the next several weeks I began sharing this story with many of our leaders and volunteers.  There was an overwhelmingly supportive response.  My prayer all along had been that God would now move WE, not ME.  Of course there has been some bitter-sweet emotions.  Sad to end what we had grown to love and enjoy.  Fond memories of what God has done over the last year – the lives He has changed forever, the souls won for Christ, the mission churches built, the poor fed and clothed, the numerous times we setup and tore down at Farragut High School – all of which we’ll cherish forever.  There has also been an air of excitement about what God is going to do.  When God moved Abraham it was to birth a nation, God’s chosen people.  When God moves you, He always moves with you.  It is exciting to think and dream about what God will do among us now as NorthStar Church.

2.) What will your role be at NorthStar?
I’ll be serving under Scott Cagle as an assistant pastor giving leadership to a number of areas within the church. It’s a privilege to serve with such a great team that is leading NorthStar.  God has richly blessed and used NorthStar as a Gospel driven church to impact the lives of many people here in East Tennessee.  The growth of the church, expansion of new campuses, services etc requires the constant raising up of servant leaders to carry out the work of the ministry in the spirit of Ephesians 4.  My primary task will be the raising up and discipling leaders who can serve on ministry teams, as LifeGroup leaders etc.  Additionally I will help with the teaching/preaching ministry.

3.) How will I be able to get involved?
There is a reasonable fear that many will have with this transition.  How will I get involved in the new environment?  Will I be able to serve like I do at Discovery Church? The answer is simple.  I’ll help get you connected.  One of my primary responsibilities will be to help people serve in their area of calling and passion.  You won’t be left out, I promise! The opportunities are almost endless!

4.) Can we ask questions, and get to know Scott Cagle and the other pastors at NorthStar better?
Absolutely.  On Monday, November 28th we’re having an informal get together at NorthStar Church’s Sherrill Campus.  This will be a great opportunity for you to hear from me and Scott together at the same time.  Additionally you can ask questions, get to meet some of the other great people of NorthStar.

5.) When is the last Discovery Church worship service at Farragut High School?
Sunday, December 4^th we’ll have a celebration service looking back and remembering what God has done this year.  We’ll also be celebrating what is to come!  We will officially become a part of NorthStar Church on December, 11^th 2011.

My initial reaction to the news of a sex scandal at Penn State involving the abusing of children was avoidance.  Literally I didn’t read any of the articles that came out on Sunday and Monday.  I feared they would say exactly what they said – that there was sexual abuse of children AND that the people who knew about it did nothing.

The reason I didn’t want to read it is simple.  I have had incredible admiration for Joe Paterno.  For years I have rooted for Penn State (not like for the Vols) because of him.  He was so consistent, ran such a clean program, and with so much class.  I knew this scandal would taint him.  I didn’t realize how much.

My second reaction was  sadness for the victims combined with anger and disappointment towards the Penn State leadership – especially Joe Paterno’s.  How in the world could he not go to the police.  What was he and the other administrators thinking?!  How in the world could a known pedophile be allowed such access to the school in the aftermath? The passivity of it all just shocked me.  I’ve been angry, especially since this hits close to home.  I’ve seen first hand in many lives the painful affects of sexual abuse.

Now I have another emotion: Fear.  Can you imagine making 1,000 good decisions that turn you into a successful person, then 1 terrible decision that derailed it all?  Can you imagine building a reputation that is revered by all for 61 years, then in 1 week have it all destroyed?  Tuesday and Wednesday of this week I was saying how could you Joe?!!!!!!  Today I am asking, Could I?  Could I spend years building a reputation as a family man, a pastor who is supposed to love Jesus, who lives honorably, makes moral decisions, has integrity AND then see it all collapse and burn in a fire of regret? Could I be that person?

Yes I could. So could you.

I was reading Hebrews 12 this morning.  What incredibly poignant and timely words these are:

Hebrews 12:1, 2  1Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.

I’ve had to put my stones back in my pockets this morning, lest I do exactly as Joe Paterno and the other leaders at Penn State did.  My prayer today has been, “Lord, rid of me the sin, the blind spot, the weight that will tear me down.  Give me strength to keep my eyes fixed on You.”  I hope you’ll make it yours too.  Want to finish well?  We better keep our eyes on Jesus.

- Brad

Some of you guys who are reading the post have looked at porn online in the last 48 hours.  You’re controlled by your lust.  Better yet, you’re a full-blown slave to your lust.  You need help.  You need not to pray another “God forgive me”…you’ve done that 1,234,876 times already.  Don’t get me wrong, you need repentance…and God will forgive.  But what your really need is accountability.  Real. Honest. Wise. Accountability.

Check this out.  My internet activity is monitored everytime I’m online.  Every two weeks an e-mail is sent to my accountability partner that will list any questionable/inappropriate websites I visit.  If I turn off the monitoring system, an e-mail is sent to my accountability partner telling him that I have turned off the software.

You need and can have the same setup.  It’s easy.  It’s free. It’s important.

First, you need to establish an accountability partner.  Guys, this needs to be a man, not a woman, not your wife.  This needs to be a person who is striving to walk with God.  This needs to be someone who will speak truth into your life and be honest with you.  This needs to be someone you can trust.

Second, you need to download the X3watch software from the XXX Church guys HERE.  You and your accountability partner can download the software free. 

3. Download and read Porn Again Christian a free resource from Mark Driscoll.  Caution, it’s intense and really for men only.

We need each other, and we need to be pure vessels for God’s glory!  I pray you’ll seize the power of the Holy Spirit and overcome the strongholds in your life!

- Brad

Sunday after the service a lady told me that she wished she would have heard the “Baggage Check” message 20 years ago.  She said it would have saved her a lot of pain and made a big difference in her life.  I appreciated hearing that, and it got me to thinking: What do I wish I had learned earlier in life that could have saved me a lot of regrets, pain, or frustration?  I’ll offer up a few, and encourage you to leave some of your insights here as well.

I wish I had learned that relationship building was more important than good ideas and planning programs.  In other words I wish I had spent more time building people, instead of programs when I first got into ministry.

I wish I listened more and talked less when I was younger…and now.

I wish I had done more to fix broken relationships.

I wish I had heard of Dave Ramsey at 18, not 26.

There are many more principles and lessons I wish I would have learned earlier, but I didn’t. What’s important now is that I learn from past mistakes, and use that knowledge to make wiser choices in the future.  The past is in the past.  We can leave the negative behind thanks to the grace of God.  We can also be wiser about the future.

What lesson do you wish you had learned 20 years ago? Leave us a comment below.

Discovery Church is just 10 months old.  We’re a baby church.  I’m new to the role of Lead Pastor. I’ve learned more about leadership this year than any of my previous 30.  It’s been a wonderful, rewarding year.  With that said, let me be honest about one of the weirdest aspects of planting a church like Discovery: Atheists and Agnostics like me/us much more than many of my conservative Christian fundamentalist brothers and sisters.

That seems like an outlandish hyperbole, right?  In the last year we have seen faithful attendance from various Agnostics.  I’ve had dinner and coffee with them.  Atheists have written me to say they appreciate what our church does for the community.  One Agnostic friend from another state wrote me this year and said he would regularly attend on Sundays to hear my sermons.  He doesn’t buy what I say about Jesus, but he likes the message and practical application enough.  Of course I’m sure not every Atheist/Agnostic feels this way, but that is the interaction I’ve had with them over the last year.

On the other hand my more conservative, “fundamental” Christian friends have had the exact opposite reaction.  As a matter of fact, it would seem I pastor a nightclub.  “Brad, I’d love to visit Discovery, but I’m not allowed too.” I’ve pretty much lost count how many times I’ve heard that one.  One high school student had to beg their Christian parents to see their friend get baptized at Discovery.   Just this past Sunday a young woman in tears said to me she loves coming to our church, but that it caused her a great deal of conflict with her Christian family and she is torn with whether she should continue to come.  Her family is convinced she’s being taught a false gospel because I don’t preach from the King James Version.  I’ll leave some of the other backlash out.  It’s important to note here that not all of my fundamentalist friends have responded this way – some have been very encouraging and gracious, and not mean spirited.

So why have some acted as if Discovery Church and other churches similar to it are like nightclubs or other worldly places ‘good Christians’ avoid?

I would totally understand it if we soft sold the Gospel, weakened who Jesus was, viewed the Bible as just a nice piece of ancient literature, or embraced sinful lifestyles.   But we don’t do any of those things.  Watch our Beautiful Collision, or Captured by Grace sermon series and if you come away with those conclusions then you might fit in well at a Westboro Baptist Church protest.

So what is the issue? The issue is almost always in the HOW.

Not what I preach, but HOW (usually in jeans)
Not if we sing hymns, but HOW (with electric guitar and drums)
Not if we love and believe the Bible, but HOW (we don’t exclusively use the King James Version)
Not if we have church, but HOW (We meet on Sunday mornings, but not evenings. We meet for small groups in homes, not in classrooms for Sunday School)

HOW we do WHAT we do always creates the tension with some in the christian community.  We’re OK with that because of WHO we do it for.  We do it for those lost and in need of salvation from their sins.  And we do it for those burnt by previous experiences with the church.  If that brings criticism, that’s OK, I don’t lose sleep over it.  I do hurt for those Christians who get caught in the crossfire.

So let me offer these pointed thoughts.  You’re a fool if you are critical of other churches and pastors for doing church ministry differently than you would prefer it be done.  If you criticize a church for using ‘contemporary’ Christian music (I hate those terms) instead of hymns, you are a fool.  If you criticize churches for using the organ and singing hymns instead of being cool and hip like your church, you are a fool.  If you use your church sign to let everyone know you use the KJV and still have night church unlike those weak watered down churches, you are a fool.  If you scoff at pastors who still wear suits and not True Religion jeans, you are a fool.  And there is a lot of foolishness out there.

The HOW is important because we should try to be as effective as we can in reaching people, making disciples, meeting the needs of the poor, sending missionaries to the nations etc.  Discussion about discernment in the methods we use is absolutely helpful and necessary, but pot shots and back biting have no place in the kingdom.  The HOW should never be the focus.  The focus should be the WHAT.  The WHAT is the GOSPEL.  It’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ that matters.

Just to be clear it is the Gospel that is critical, not my jeans or your suit.

- Brad

I felt lead to do three things in this process. 1) Pray. 2) Read the books of Proverbs. 3) Journal those prayers and insights from Proverbs.  I’ve been stuck in Proverbs chapter 3, meditating and praying through three relatively familiar verses, verses 5-7.

“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes…”

This morning I was focusing on verse 6.  I was writing in my journal that I need not be preoccupied with what I think, what others think, but to be tuned into what God thinks.  Not what God thinks of me, but what the heart of God is concerning the tough decisions I’m wrestling with.  I was making a note on how if I made God’s heart in this decision my focus, then I would be guided on the right path.

At that moment Rylee, my 2 year old daughter, walked up next to me and said, “Daddy, hold my hand.”  She was putting on shoes that were too big for her to wear and needed stability so that she wouldn’t fall.  Without hesitation she sat the shoes next to me and asked me to hold her hand.  I held her hand, and she slipped on the high heeled shoes that were too big for her to wear without a problem.  She had no stress, no worries.  Why? Because she knew that all she had to do was ask daddy to hold her hand.

My 2 year old realizes a simple profound truth that this 30 year-old forgets so often.  When you have a problem, when you have something in front of you that is way too big for you to deal with on your own – ask Daddy to hold your hand.  After all, daddy is never too busy to hold his daughter’s hand when she asks.

Do you have something in front of you that is overwhelming? A big decision? A difficult circumstance you need help getting through? Ask your heavenly Father to hold your hand – He’s never too busy for His children.

- Brad