Guest Contributor: Ronnie Jordan

I'm going to take some time away from the office so I've asked Ronnie Jordan to be a guest blogger in my absence. Ronnie is the Creative Worship Arts Pastor here at PCC and he will be sharing thoughts on leadership, worship, technology and the arts. I know that you will enjoy what he has to share.

Bible Study Tools

After writing a glowing endorsement of my Logos Digital Library System yesterday it occurred to me ... I can have all the commentaries, systematic theological treatises, and even best practices on church growth and management ... and yet still not have the most important component of inductively studying the scripture - the Holy Spirit. 

Look at where the church is growing the most in the world today - Africa, South America and Asia. Most of the pastors leading those congregations are lucky to have a Bible and concordance let alone a set of commentaries or digital library system. But they have the Holy Spirit - who Jesus promised would "guide us into all truth". 

I'm not planning on tossing my Logos, but I do want to bring a little more balance to my comments from yesterday. When it comes to Bible study tools, it's not an either/or issue, it should be a both/and proposition. One should desire to have the best tools available to study the Bible yet not neglect the importance of the relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the only book that you can read while simultaneously speaking with author. Kind of cool, huh?

Logos Bible Software

Just purchased the Mac version of the Logos Software by Libronix Digital Library System. A big "thank you" to the people at Logos for finally releasing the software compatible with the Mac platform. 

I've been using Logos DLS for 5 the past years on the PC platform and I totally love it. I can't imagine being a pastor or serious student of the Scriptures and not having this software at my fingertips. I also just upgraded to the Silver Scholars edition and unlocked hundreds of new volumes for my digital library. I now have literally thousands of reference works on my laptop that I use everyday for sermon preparation and Bible study. 

If you are a pastor or Bible college / seminary student, I would strongly recommend you purchase the Logos digital library system. If I was a carpenter, I would have the best nail guns, circular saws and digital levels that money could buy. But since I'm a pastor, I'll stick to my digital library and for my money - Logos from Libronix is the way to go.

New Seres: Text

On Memorial Day weekend we kicked off a brand new teaching series, TEXT. 

Everyone is texting these days. It seems that this is the preferred method of communication, especially among the younger generation.

Interestingly enough, God sent the first text thousands of years ago. In this series, we are going to discover that this was no ordinary text though. 

So for the next 6 weeks we are going to be studying the original text, the Bible, sent to us from GOD with LOL. In this series we hope to answer some questions, such as:

What is the Bible? Who wrote it? How do I read and study it? What does it mean for my everyday life? 

If you missed part one, go here to listen. 

I'm really pumped up about this series. I know it's going to help a lot of people develop a greater hunger and deeper passion for God's text.

Church Stats

Just participated in a survey for Leadership.Net on large churches in America.

Here are some interesting stats they shared:

Among some 300,000 churches in North America only:

- Approx. 2900 churches have attendances of 1,000-1,999

- Approx. 580 churches have attendances of 2,000-2,999

- Approx. 670 churches have attendances of 3,000 and higher

Heart Word

Ps. 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against. you."

One of the inherent dangers of being a preacher is that we spend so much of our time proclaiming the Word that we constantly look to the Scriptures for principles or truths that we can use to help someone else.

Often times, we neglect hiding the Word in our heart for ourselves. It's the hidden Word of God in our heart that keeps us pure and righteous and and free from sin.

Don't be like the train conductor who that falsely believes he has been to the places he announces just because he has loudly proclaimed them. Spend time in God's word first and foremost for your personal benefit. Then, out of the outflow of the Word and Spirit's activity in your own life, will come your best messages for others.

Kelly Shannon

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up that Kelly Shannon will be our special musical guest this weekend at PCC. She's just finished her latest album and will be filming her new worship DVD on Sunday night at PCC in a free worship concert.

Be sure to make plans to be here.

No Fear Video

So proud of the media team for putting together a cool video roll in for the message. Way to go guys!

Sujo John

This weekend Sujo John will be speaking at PCC. Sujo was one of very few that survived 9/11 when Tower One collapsed. Many have asked, "Where was God on 9/11 ... what was God doing when the buildings collapsed and people perished." Well, if you want to hear from someone who actually witnessed the entire event first-hand, than make sure you don't miss this weekend at PCC. Sujo's story of those events and final moments in Tower One will be unforgettable.

Remember that this weekend we are piloting a Saturday evening service on May 16th at 6:00 PM. On Sunday, there will NOT be a 9am service. Instead, we will have a 10:45am and 12:30pm service. Invite your friends! Don't come alone.

Mother's Day

This Sunday is Mother's Day. At PCC, we have a special presentation to honor all the moms and you don't want to miss it. It's going to be a ton of fun.

Also, I'll be continuing in our series, No Fear, with a special message and time of prayer at the altars. I sense in my spirit that God is going to do something special in all our services this weekend.

So be sure to come out and bring your friends!

Ted Haggard Interview

I just finished watching the Ted Haggard Interview with Steven Furtick at Elevation Church. As you might remember, Pastor Ted who grew one of the largest churches in America as well as leading the 30 million member association of evangelicals in America, was embroiled in a scandal that rocked the Christian community. You might have seen the interview that Oprah or Larry King did on The Haggards, but you need to view their story through the lens of a local church. As you watch the interview, let God speak to your heart about what might be going on in your own life and how you can avoid the same potential pitfalls that shipwrecked Ted Haggard.

Weekend Highlights

1. Had an awesome day at PCC. God is really using the "No Fear" series to help tons of people. In each of the three services, the altars were packed with people crying out to God and giving thanks.

2. My good friend, Etienne Zongo, is in town from Burkina Faso, Africa. He spoke a great word to our PCC family Sunday night at The Gathering prayer and worship service. I believe it was a prophetic word from God! PCC, look out. The future just got a whole lot bigger.

3. I was exhausted today. Still don't have the stamina built up for preaching three services - especially for sermons like yesterday. Not sure how we are going to do 4 services. God will help us

4. This week I'm in Pittsburgh for our District Council meetings. Looking forward to the week.

5. Sunday is Mother's Day. I have to get my mom a gift. What do you get a woman who has everything! Ha!