THIS is the Most Overlooked Group in Your Church with Annie F. Downs

are you checking your pastor's DMS not are you checking your pastor's DMS not not for their good or bad behavior but not for their good or bad behavior but not for their good or bad behavior but but the the people who are listening to but the the people who are listening to but the the people who are listening to your church online are listening to the your church online are listening to the your church online are listening to the teaching Pastor right so that's who they teaching Pastor right so that's who they teaching Pastor right so that's who they feel the most connected with probably feel the most connected with probably feel the most connected with probably over your Church's Instagram account over your Church's Instagram account over your Church's Instagram account welcome to the K newoff leadership welcome to the K newoff leadership welcome to the K newoff leadership podcast I'm so glad you joined us podcast I'm so glad you joined us podcast I'm so glad you joined us welcome to all of our new viewers this welcome to all of our new viewers this welcome to all of our new viewers this Channel's growing rapidly and maybe Channel's growing rapidly and maybe Channel's growing rapidly and maybe you're here for Annie F Downs hey we are you're here for Annie F Downs hey we are you're here for Annie F Downs hey we are going to talk about well how to really going to talk about well how to really going to talk about well how to really connect I mean she's a relationship connect I mean she's a relationship connect I mean she's a relationship expert she's everybody's friends what's expert she's everybody's friends what's expert she's everybody's friends what's the difference between digital and the difference between digital and the difference between digital and online what a lot of churches are online what a lot of churches are online what a lot of churches are missing and how to do your online and missing and how to do your online and missing and how to do your online and inperson well so that people actually inperson well so that people actually inperson well so that people actually connect and going talk about that in a connect and going talk about that in a connect and going talk about that in a whole lot more uh we have a lot of other whole lot more uh we have a lot of other whole lot more uh we have a lot of other amazing conversations here so if you amazing conversations here so if you amazing conversations here so if you subscribe you will get people like John subscribe you will get people like John subscribe you will get people like John Mark comr Tyler ston John Acuff and a Mark comr Tyler ston John Acuff and a Mark comr Tyler ston John Acuff and a whole lot more right here on the podcast whole lot more right here on the podcast whole lot more right here on the podcast and if you enjoyed today's episode leave and if you enjoyed today's episode leave and if you enjoyed today's episode leave a rating and review we're going to hear a rating and review we're going to hear a rating and review we're going to hear a quick word from our carefully selected a quick word from our carefully selected a quick word from our carefully selected sponsors and then right into my sponsors and then right into my sponsors and then right into my conversation which was recorded live at conversation which was recorded live at conversation which was recorded live at a conference in Nashville the connect a conference in Nashville the connect a conference in Nashville the connect conference uh you'll see it here this conference uh you'll see it here this conference uh you'll see it here this episode is brought to you by Glue plus episode is brought to you by Glue plus episode is brought to you by Glue plus if you've been listening for a while if you've been listening for a while if you've been listening for a while chances are you're already using glue chances are you're already using glue chances are you're already using glue for free texting just like 25,000 other for free texting just like 25,000 other for free texting just like 25,000 other churches but if you're ready for the churches but if you're ready for the churches but if you're ready for the next step glue plus is where things next step glue plus is where things next step glue plus is where things really start to happen when you sign up really start to happen when you sign up really start to happen when you sign up for glue plus you get premium texting for glue plus you get premium texting for glue plus you get premium texting with unlimited messages and GR groups with unlimited messages and GR groups with unlimited messages and GR groups you get exclusive access to top Ministry

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information and register today at the information and register today at the church network.com church network.com church network.com conference that's the church network.com conference that's the church network.com conference that's the church network.com onference all right Annie F Downs onference all right Annie F Downs onference all right Annie F Downs everybody wow well I'm so glad to be at the wow well I'm so glad to be at the connect conference with you we're having connect conference with you we're having connect conference with you we're having this conversation live and Annie you this conversation live and Annie you this conversation live and Annie you know it's so funny you're so great at know it's so funny you're so great at know it's so funny you're so great at relationships I mean you've kind of relationships I mean you've kind of relationships I mean you've kind of built everything around that sounds fun built everything around that sounds fun built everything around that sounds fun yeah you are a lot of fun yeah you are a lot of fun yeah you are a lot of fun but it's funny you know we got together but it's funny you know we got together but it's funny you know we got together about an hour ago we're just picking up about an hour ago we're just picking up about an hour ago we're just picking up where we left off last time relationship where we left off last time relationship where we left off last time relationship is so important and it's become so is so important and it's become so is so important and it's become so scarce over the last few years and I scarce over the last few years and I scarce over the last few years and I want to think about that for a minute want to think about that for a minute want to think about that for a minute you know where I sit in a lead Pastor you know where I sit in a lead Pastor you know where I sit in a lead Pastor seat because that's what I did for two seat because that's what I did for two seat because that's what I did for two decades uh content was always our unique decades uh content was always our unique decades uh content was always our unique leverage right preach a great sermon leverage right preach a great sermon leverage right preach a great sermon people will come lead pastors love to people will come lead pastors love to people will come lead pastors love to hear that yeah and I'm not and you're a hear that yeah and I'm not and you're a hear that yeah and I'm not and you're a preacher yeah I I'm not making excuse preacher yeah I I'm not making excuse preacher yeah I I'm not making excuse for bad sermons but in the '90s in the for bad sermons but in the '90s in the for bad sermons but in the '90s in the early 2000s content was early 2000s content was early 2000s content was scarce and Community was plentiful yes scarce and Community was plentiful yes scarce and Community was plentiful yes so a lot of churches are like just have so a lot of churches are like just have so a lot of churches are like just have a great preacher have an Annie F Downs a great preacher have an Annie F Downs a great preacher have an Annie F Downs Kevin Queen whatever preach great Kevin Queen whatever preach great Kevin Queen whatever preach great messages people will come and now messages people will come and now messages people will come and now Community is scarce and content is Community is scarce and content is Community is scarce and content is everywhere do you want to talk about everywhere do you want to talk about everywhere do you want to talk about that shift that's happened literally in that shift that's happened literally in that shift that's happened literally in the last 20 years in the church and the last 20 years in the church and the last 20 years in the church and what's that done what that has done to what's that done what that has done to what's that done what that has done to elevate community well has it elevated elevate community well has it elevated elevate community well has it elevated Community Community Community right black are we in this black ho I

right black are we in this black ho I right black are we in this black ho I mean I think one of the challenges for mean I think one of the challenges for mean I think one of the challenges for pastors that I am watching with people pastors that I am watching with people pastors that I am watching with people like pastor Kevin and some of my other like pastor Kevin and some of my other like pastor Kevin and some of my other friends that are pastoring is there's friends that are pastoring is there's friends that are pastoring is there's also a feel of like um I'm preaching on also a feel of like um I'm preaching on also a feel of like um I'm preaching on Sunday but I'm not just preaching in the Sunday but I'm not just preaching in the Sunday but I'm not just preaching in the room I'm preaching to everybody who's room I'm preaching to everybody who's room I'm preaching to everybody who's going to listen to this at any point going to listen to this at any point going to listen to this at any point yeah and I think what used to be true yeah and I think what used to be true yeah and I think what used to be true when I was growing up in the church is when I was growing up in the church is when I was growing up in the church is you were what you were saying to the you were what you were saying to the you were what you were saying to the room of people was what the room of room of people was what the room of room of people was what the room of people needed and so then was connection people needed and so then was connection people needed and so then was connection around that content because it was for around that content because it was for around that content because it was for the the the room and it wasn't for the internet and room and it wasn't for the internet and room and it wasn't for the internet and and now everything we do including this and now everything we do including this and now everything we do including this conversation isn't just for the room conversation isn't just for the room conversation isn't just for the room this will be on my podcast right right this will be on my podcast right right this will be on my podcast right right so so there even right now when I'm so so there even right now when I'm so so there even right now when I'm thinking and talking I'm going like well thinking and talking I'm going like well thinking and talking I'm going like well there are things I will say to just there are things I will say to just there are things I will say to just y'all that I will do today because it's y'all that I will do today because it's y'all that I will do today because it's you and you're trustworthy but there are you and you're trustworthy but there are you and you're trustworthy but there are times where you go is this going to be a times where you go is this going to be a times where you go is this going to be a recorded and if it's recorded it changes recorded and if it's recorded it changes recorded and if it's recorded it changes what you say and so I sometimes wonder what you say and so I sometimes wonder what you say and so I sometimes wonder if the um opportunity for everyone to if the um opportunity for everyone to if the um opportunity for everyone to hear us preaching to our church is hear us preaching to our church is hear us preaching to our church is affecting the community that's sitting affecting the community that's sitting affecting the community that's sitting in front of you that is wow okay I in front of you that is wow okay I in front of you that is wow okay I wasn't expecting that answer sorry good wasn't expecting that answer sorry good wasn't expecting that answer sorry good answer good answer um and I love the answer good answer um and I love the answer good answer um and I love the internet what do you do with that yeah internet what do you do with that yeah internet what do you do with that yeah because I mean you do love the internet because I mean you do love the internet because I mean you do love the internet I love the internet yeah you've got a I love the internet yeah you've got a I love the internet yeah you've got a whole can I say media Empire I mean a whole can I say media Empire I mean a whole can I say media Empire I mean a podcast network with like legit things podcast network with like legit things podcast network with like legit things so when you're speaking at Cross so when you're speaking at Cross so when you're speaking at Cross Point and you're preparing a message I Point and you're preparing a message I Point and you're preparing a message I just had a conversation with Craig Melle

just had a conversation with Craig Melle just had a conversation with Craig Melle about this yes and Craig we're very about this yes and Craig we're very about this yes and Craig we're very similar me and Craig Melle good similar me and Craig Melle good similar me and Craig Melle good comparison Carrie I I get confused with comparison Carrie I I get confused with comparison Carrie I I get confused with Craig a lot because of the way I'm built Craig a lot because of the way I'm built Craig a lot because of the way I'm built yeah yeah yeah but anyway Craig well yeah yeah yeah but anyway Craig well yeah yeah yeah but anyway Craig well done that was a joke I loved it I was done that was a joke I loved it I was done that was a joke I loved it I was with you I think you got that all right with you I think you got that all right with you I think you got that all right thank you um no he says he's very thank you um no he says he's very thank you um no he says he's very intentional about the online audience intentional about the online audience intentional about the online audience because despite leading the largest because despite leading the largest because despite leading the largest church in America the light audience is church in America the light audience is church in America the light audience is now bigger than the audience in the room now bigger than the audience in the room now bigger than the audience in the room and so he's crafting it for that I want and so he's crafting it for that I want and so he's crafting it for that I want to know what your process is when you to know what your process is when you to know what your process is when you think about the authentic community at think about the authentic community at think about the authentic community at Cross Point which is what yes four five Cross Point which is what yes four five Cross Point which is what yes four five locations yes five five five campuses locations yes five five five campuses locations yes five five five campuses and then we also are in the um on the and then we also are in the um on the and then we also are in the um on the Pand app and streamed at the Tennessee Pand app and streamed at the Tennessee Pand app and streamed at the Tennessee Prison for Women through God Behind Bars Prison for Women through God Behind Bars Prison for Women through God Behind Bars wow okay so six or seven yes uh wow okay so six or seven yes uh wow okay so six or seven yes uh locations and you have thousands locations and you have thousands locations and you have thousands watching online you have thousands watching online you have thousands watching online you have thousands attending in person do you craft a attending in person do you craft a attending in person do you craft a message when you're thinking of message when you're thinking of message when you're thinking of community and who you're actually community and who you're actually community and who you're actually speaking to it's so hard right because speaking to it's so hard right because speaking to it's so hard right because so the behind the scenes of cross point so the behind the scenes of cross point so the behind the scenes of cross point is we have a 9911 and 5:30 the 9:00 is we have a 9911 and 5:30 the 9:00 is we have a 9911 and 5:30 the 9:00 service is the one that goes everywhere service is the one that goes everywhere service is the one that goes everywhere it goes to all the campuses live blow it it goes to all the campuses live blow it it goes to all the campuses live blow it right literally Lally don't blow um the right literally Lally don't blow um the right literally Lally don't blow um the nine o00 goes everywhere live and that nine o00 goes everywhere live and that nine o00 goes everywhere live and that is often the one that also goes to the is often the one that also goes to the is often the one that also goes to the panda app into God Behind Bars the women panda app into God Behind Bars the women panda app into God Behind Bars the women at the Tennessee prison for women and so at the Tennessee prison for women and so at the Tennessee prison for women and so and then the 11 is for the room online and then the 11 is for the room online and then the 11 is for the room online and the 5:30 is for the room and so we and the 5:30 is for the room and so we and the 5:30 is for the room and so we are doing the same content but there's a are doing the same content but there's a are doing the same content but there's a little bit of difference and how it

little bit of difference and how it little bit of difference and how it happens so if particular we talk about happens so if particular we talk about happens so if particular we talk about community of what we want the people to community of what we want the people to community of what we want the people to do I am I used to teach elementary do I am I used to teach elementary do I am I used to teach elementary school and so everything I teach I want school and so everything I teach I want school and so everything I teach I want them to do something afterwards because them to do something afterwards because them to do something afterwards because that's what we were taught at University that's what we were taught at University that's what we were taught at University of Georgia godog scum what I was taught of Georgia godog scum what I was taught of Georgia godog scum what I was taught at University of Georgia was was that at University of Georgia was was that at University of Georgia was was that you every time you teach a kid something you every time you teach a kid something you every time you teach a kid something the way they actually learn is when they the way they actually learn is when they the way they actually learn is when they do it and so every time I teach I want do it and so every time I teach I want do it and so every time I teach I want an activation around what I'm doing an activation around what I'm doing an activation around what I'm doing because that is in the room and online because that is in the room and online because that is in the room and online because we I mean the reality is the because we I mean the reality is the because we I mean the reality is the gospel is going to go Global to every gospel is going to go Global to every gospel is going to go Global to every person because of the internet right we person because of the internet right we person because of the internet right we don't want to I mean we don't want to don't want to I mean we don't want to don't want to I mean we don't want to stop streaming necessarily right we we stop streaming necessarily right we we stop streaming necessarily right we we want the the world to get access to your want the the world to get access to your want the the world to get access to your incredible teaching of the Gospel that incredible teaching of the Gospel that incredible teaching of the Gospel that is there are people in closed countries is there are people in closed countries is there are people in closed countries that are hearing sermons because y'all that are hearing sermons because y'all that are hearing sermons because y'all are getting up and teaching on Sundays are getting up and teaching on Sundays are getting up and teaching on Sundays and it's streamed so I don't want us to and it's streamed so I don't want us to and it's streamed so I don't want us to not do that but for me the way we kind not do that but for me the way we kind not do that but for me the way we kind of try to tie in community is to have of try to tie in community is to have of try to tie in community is to have some sort of activation around it like some sort of activation around it like some sort of activation around it like um hey when you go to lunch today talk um hey when you go to lunch today talk um hey when you go to lunch today talk about this one about this one about this one question or I taught last Sunday and I question or I taught last Sunday and I question or I taught last Sunday and I taught on Moses in the burning bush and taught on Moses in the burning bush and taught on Moses in the burning bush and the activation was having everybody take the activation was having everybody take the activation was having everybody take off their off their off their shoes and so then at least there's this shoes and so then at least there's this shoes and so then at least there's this unified thing that happen in the room unified thing that happen in the room unified thing that happen in the room that you talk about later that may have that you talk about later that may have that you talk about later that may have some effect on conversation in community some effect on conversation in community some effect on conversation in community and so to me that's it because we don't and so to me that's it because we don't and so to me that's it because we don't want to let go of one or the other we

want to let go of one or the other we want to let go of one or the other we don't want to stop teaching to the room don't want to stop teaching to the room don't want to stop teaching to the room because they are the people who have because they are the people who have because they are the people who have shown up to church like they are looking shown up to church like they are looking shown up to church like they are looking to experience the gospel so we want to to experience the gospel so we want to to experience the gospel so we want to teach to the room we don't want to teach to the room we don't want to teach to the room we don't want to ignore the that this is going to the ignore the that this is going to the ignore the that this is going to the internet because may God use it to draw internet because may God use it to draw internet because may God use it to draw people to himself who are not walking people to himself who are not walking people to himself who are not walking into a church today but the community into a church today but the community into a church today but the community the people who are looking to know the people who are looking to know the people who are looking to know someone are the ones who showed up in someone are the ones who showed up in someone are the ones who showed up in the room yeah so there's a couple of the room yeah so there's a couple of the room yeah so there's a couple of takeaways on that one is you know there takeaways on that one is you know there takeaways on that one is you know there have been a number of pastors who over have been a number of pastors who over have been a number of pastors who over the last few years everybody went online the last few years everybody went online the last few years everybody went online five years ago right 2020 for obvious five years ago right 2020 for obvious five years ago right 2020 for obvious reasons and then a lot of people uh kind reasons and then a lot of people uh kind reasons and then a lot of people uh kind of throttled back because they wanted a of throttled back because they wanted a of throttled back because they wanted a full room yeah right like well I want full room yeah right like well I want full room yeah right like well I want the room to be full I don't want people the room to be full I don't want people the room to be full I don't want people watching online so therefore we're going watching online so therefore we're going watching online so therefore we're going to throttle our digital footprint um to throttle our digital footprint um to throttle our digital footprint um good idea bad idea what's your take on good idea bad idea what's your take on good idea bad idea what's your take on that I think the people in your town that I think the people in your town that I think the people in your town will find the church that they are will find the church that they are will find the church that they are looking to go to a church they will find looking to go to a church they will find looking to go to a church they will find the church that matches what they want the church that matches what they want the church that matches what they want for better for worse you know and so I for better for worse you know and so I for better for worse you know and so I think the throttling back makes sense to think the throttling back makes sense to think the throttling back makes sense to me in some ways because you want to me in some ways because you want to me in some ways because you want to serve your city and you want to Serve serve your city and you want to Serve serve your city and you want to Serve the People God's put in front of you and the People God's put in front of you and the People God's put in front of you and so I totally understand that I think so I totally understand that I think so I totally understand that I think it's great it's not what Cross Point has it's great it's not what Cross Point has it's great it's not what Cross Point has done today and it's not what the rest of done today and it's not what the rest of done today and it's not what the rest of my life looks like I mean my life is far my life looks like I mean my life is far my life looks like I mean my life is far more effective online than it is in more effective online than it is in more effective online than it is in person yeah because you know it's it's person yeah because you know it's it's person yeah because you know it's it's interesting you have interesting you have interesting you have a real relationship like being backstage a real relationship like being backstage a real relationship like being backstage with you being at conferences with you with you being at conferences with you with you being at conferences with you people always want the picture taken people always want the picture taken people always want the picture taken with you they want to meet you um talk

with you they want to meet you um talk with you they want to meet you um talk about the quality of those relationships about the quality of those relationships about the quality of those relationships that you meet when you find people in that you meet when you find people in that you meet when you find people in the afd universe like I have that with the afd universe like I have that with the afd universe like I have that with my own podcast with leaders and Senior my own podcast with leaders and Senior my own podcast with leaders and Senior pastors who feel like they have a pastors who feel like they have a pastors who feel like they have a relationship with me yes what is the relationship with me yes what is the relationship with me yes what is the quality of those connection well it's quality of those connection well it's quality of those connection well it's one of the gifts of our sermons going one of the gifts of our sermons going one of the gifts of our sermons going online is that people are in the grocery online is that people are in the grocery online is that people are in the grocery store and they are shopping for celery store and they are shopping for celery store and they are shopping for celery and you are saying to them something and you are saying to them something and you are saying to them something they've never heard from The Book of they've never heard from The Book of they've never heard from The Book of John and they're getting teary because John and they're getting teary because John and they're getting teary because we have their full mental attention and we have their full mental attention and we have their full mental attention and we have we have this podcasting is this we have we have this podcasting is this we have we have this podcasting is this extraordinary access to people's minds extraordinary access to people's minds extraordinary access to people's minds we are in both of their ears most likely we are in both of their ears most likely we are in both of their ears most likely while they are doing whatever else while they are doing whatever else while they are doing whatever else they're doing with their hands but we they're doing with their hands but we they're doing with their hands but we have their minds and so it's one of the have their minds and so it's one of the have their minds and so it's one of the reasons that I think it is so effective reasons that I think it is so effective reasons that I think it is so effective and one of the reasons that the people and one of the reasons that the people and one of the reasons that the people in your church who you run into at the in your church who you run into at the in your church who you run into at the grocery store that may not have been grocery store that may not have been grocery store that may not have been there for 3 weeks but they've listened there for 3 weeks but they've listened there for 3 weeks but they've listened online still come up to you and speak to online still come up to you and speak to online still come up to you and speak to you or the reason people feel like you or the reason people feel like you or the reason people feel like because of our online presences is that because of our online presences is that because of our online presences is that plural um they feel like we are friends plural um they feel like we are friends plural um they feel like we are friends oh yeah and and part of that is because oh yeah and and part of that is because oh yeah and and part of that is because we are we are invited into their lives we are we are invited into their lives we are we are invited into their lives in very intimate ways and in Intimate in very intimate ways and in Intimate in very intimate ways and in Intimate times a thing that happens to me a lot times a thing that happens to me a lot times a thing that happens to me a lot if I meet a husband and wife is the wife if I meet a husband and wife is the wife if I meet a husband and wife is the wife will say will tell me what she loves will say will tell me what she loves will say will tell me what she loves about the like a podcast or a book she about the like a podcast or a book she about the like a podcast or a book she read or something and the husband will read or something and the husband will read or something and the husband will say I hear your voice every morning in say I hear your voice every morning in say I hear your voice every morning in the bathroom yeah and so and and and I the bathroom yeah and so and and and I the bathroom yeah and so and and and I will we'll laugh about it and he'll be will we'll laugh about it and he'll be will we'll laugh about it and he'll be like yeah you read I have a podcast

like yeah you read I have a podcast like yeah you read I have a podcast called let's read the gospels where I called let's read the gospels where I called let's read the gospels where I read Matthew Mark Luke and John every read Matthew Mark Luke and John every read Matthew Mark Luke and John every month and so it is literally three month and so it is literally three month and so it is literally three chapters a day and you've read all four chapters a day and you've read all four chapters a day and you've read all four of them in a month and I will have of them in a month and I will have of them in a month and I will have husbands come up and say I listen to the husbands come up and say I listen to the husbands come up and say I listen to the gospels with you because my wife listens gospels with you because my wife listens gospels with you because my wife listens while she gets ready in the morning and while she gets ready in the morning and while she gets ready in the morning and so there is not another way that a so there is not another way that a so there is not another way that a couple is going to have me in their couple is going to have me in their couple is going to have me in their bathroom in the morning right there's no bathroom in the morning right there's no bathroom in the morning right there's no other way that I going to be with them other way that I going to be with them other way that I going to be with them in that moment but because it's it is in that moment but because it's it is in that moment but because it's it is intentional and intimate for them and my intentional and intimate for them and my intentional and intimate for them and my voice is there they feel like I'm there voice is there they feel like I'm there voice is there they feel like I'm there yeah it's weird because you've got yeah it's weird because you've got yeah it's weird because you've got people who are like every morning in the people who are like every morning in the people who are like every morning in the gym I listen to you or when I'm on my gym I listen to you or when I'm on my gym I listen to you or when I'm on my run yeah or on my commute or that kind run yeah or on my commute or that kind run yeah or on my commute or that kind of thing and you become a best friend of thing and you become a best friend of thing and you become a best friend and I have a a virtual relationship with and I have a a virtual relationship with and I have a a virtual relationship with people I've never met because I listen people I've never met because I listen people I've never met because I listen to podcast that I like I've listened to to podcast that I like I've listened to to podcast that I like I've listened to you for a decade you're if I saw you I you for a decade you're if I saw you I you for a decade you're if I saw you I would speak to you and you would not would speak to you and you would not would speak to you and you would not know who I was yeah where we left off know who I was yeah where we left off know who I was yeah where we left off except there was nothing to leave off except there was nothing to leave off except there was nothing to leave off that's right that's right that's exactly that's right that's right that's exactly that's right that's right that's exactly right it's this weird thing and I think right it's this weird thing and I think right it's this weird thing and I think people are struggling with that aspect people are struggling with that aspect people are struggling with that aspect of community because we feel connected of community because we feel connected of community because we feel connected but we're not so let's break that down a but we're not so let's break that down a but we're not so let's break that down a little bit you can take it through the little bit you can take it through the little bit you can take it through the lens of Cross Point you can take it lens of Cross Point you can take it lens of Cross Point you can take it through the lens of your own audience through the lens of your own audience through the lens of your own audience sure but I would love to know what is a sure but I would love to know what is a sure but I would love to know what is a diff What are the limits of an online diff What are the limits of an online diff What are the limits of an online relationship ship to you because I agree relationship ship to you because I agree relationship ship to you because I agree everybody you want to reach is online everybody you want to reach is online everybody you want to reach is online yes it would be somewhat foolish for yes it would be somewhat foolish for yes it would be somewhat foolish for Cross Point or any church to completely Cross Point or any church to completely Cross Point or any church to completely throttle back their internet because a throttle back their internet because a throttle back their internet because a Nashville just finds other people and

Nashville just finds other people and Nashville just finds other people and you don't reach the world with the you don't reach the world with the you don't reach the world with the gospel this is the tool God has given us gospel this is the tool God has given us gospel this is the tool God has given us it's like you know go back 500 years and it's like you know go back 500 years and it's like you know go back 500 years and all right we're against the printing all right we're against the printing all right we're against the printing press we're going to write out press we're going to write out press we're going to write out manuscripts by hand that's how the manuscripts by hand that's how the manuscripts by hand that's how the Apostle Paul did it yes that's how we're Apostle Paul did it yes that's how we're Apostle Paul did it yes that's how we're going to do it well you kind of miss going to do it well you kind of miss going to do it well you kind of miss that one right so but what are the that one right so but what are the that one right so but what are the limits of online relationship or is limits of online relationship or is limits of online relationship or is there such a thing as an online there such a thing as an online there such a thing as an online community and online community and online community and online relationship that's a great question I relationship that's a great question I relationship that's a great question I think there is online community yeah I think there is online community yeah I think there is online community yeah I don't think it looks the same I think don't think it looks the same I think don't think it looks the same I think the question that churches and and me in the question that churches and and me in the question that churches and and me in a lot of ways in my own life too can can a lot of ways in my own life too can can a lot of ways in my own life too can can ask is how do we serve the city we're in ask is how do we serve the city we're in ask is how do we serve the city we're in and how do we serve the world in 1996 and how do we serve the world in 1996 and how do we serve the world in 1996 when I was a youth group in youth group when I was a youth group in youth group when I was a youth group in youth group how do we serve the city was we show up how do we serve the city was we show up how do we serve the city was we show up at church and then we go and you know at church and then we go and you know at church and then we go and you know share the gospel on the street corner share the gospel on the street corner share the gospel on the street corner whatever how do we serve the world we go whatever how do we serve the world we go whatever how do we serve the world we go on mission trips and now thinking of on mission trips and now thinking of on mission trips and now thinking of community how do we serve our city well community how do we serve our city well community how do we serve our city well we show up and we're in small groups and we show up and we're in small groups and we show up and we're in small groups and how do we serve the world we put this how do we serve the world we put this how do we serve the world we put this online we still want to go when we want online we still want to go when we want online we still want to go when we want to go and all the things and so for me to go and all the things and so for me to go and all the things and so for me Carrie when you're asking is there real Carrie when you're asking is there real Carrie when you're asking is there real Community online I think there are Community online I think there are Community online I think there are people who have access to real Community people who have access to real Community people who have access to real Community for the first time through the internet for the first time through the internet for the first time through the internet because of their own insecurities their because of their own insecurities their because of their own insecurities their own disabilities if they are homeb own disabilities if they are homeb own disabilities if they are homeb and unable or if their anxiety or and unable or if their anxiety or and unable or if their anxiety or something has them where they stay at something has them where they stay at something has them where they stay at home but y'all see this on your churches home but y'all see this on your churches home but y'all see this on your churches uh if you're live streaming your service uh if you're live streaming your service uh if you're live streaming your service and there's people leaving real prayer

and there's people leaving real prayer and there's people leaving real prayer requests in the comments and you go like requests in the comments and you go like requests in the comments and you go like I wouldn't have said that out loud to I wouldn't have said that out loud to I wouldn't have said that out loud to anyone and you just said that out loud anyone and you just said that out loud anyone and you just said that out loud in in a group of people because they in in a group of people because they in in a group of people because they feel like they go to church with the feel like they go to church with the feel like they go to church with the other people who watch online with them other people who watch online with them other people who watch online with them I think that's really true now is that I think that's really true now is that I think that's really true now is that true when you have a something happen at true when you have a something happen at true when you have a something happen at 3:00 in the morning and you have a 3:00 in the morning and you have a 3:00 in the morning and you have a medical emergency and you no one can medical emergency and you no one can medical emergency and you no one can call you or me that are are podcast call you or me that are are podcast call you or me that are are podcast listeners when they have a medical listeners when they have a medical listeners when they have a medical emergency at 3:00 a.m. and so also we emergency at 3:00 a.m. and so also we emergency at 3:00 a.m. and so also we get to cultivate if you are able um to get to cultivate if you are able um to get to cultivate if you are able um to cultivate real life cultivate real life cultivate real life community Through hopefully through your community Through hopefully through your community Through hopefully through your church and through the groups that church and through the groups that church and through the groups that you're in through what is offered you're in through what is offered you're in through what is offered through what you start through your through what you start through your through what you start through your church and being a part of something so church and being a part of something so church and being a part of something so that you are reaching the world but you that you are reaching the world but you that you are reaching the world but you are also having a three am friend mhm are also having a three am friend mhm are also having a three am friend mhm I've heard it described before as I've heard it described before as I've heard it described before as refrigerator rights who are the people refrigerator rights who are the people refrigerator rights who are the people who come into your house and can just who come into your house and can just who come into your house and can just open your refrigerator like they were open your refrigerator like they were open your refrigerator like they were your kids yeah and take whatever they your kids yeah and take whatever they your kids yeah and take whatever they want yes I love that the people who want yes I love that the people who want yes I love that the people who don't knock the people you know not don't knock the people you know not don't knock the people you know not criminals but you know like like they criminals but you know like like they criminals but you know like like they also don't knock I've heard yeah they also don't knock I've heard yeah they also don't knock I've heard yeah they also don't knock yeah but like actual also don't knock yeah but like actual also don't knock yeah but like actual people who just walk in and act like people who just walk in and act like people who just walk in and act like they own the place that's right and that they own the place that's right and that they own the place that's right and that takes a lot of time it does and that takes a lot of time it does and that takes a lot of time it does and that takes a I eat dinner with a family once takes a I eat dinner with a family once takes a I eat dinner with a family once a month since for the last 10 years and a month since for the last 10 years and a month since for the last 10 years and we've missed two and that's incredible we've missed two and that's incredible we've missed two and that's incredible with your schedule it's yeah oh we I do with your schedule it's yeah oh we I do with your schedule it's yeah oh we I do not leave their house without putting not leave their house without putting not leave their house without putting the next one on our calendar wow and so

the next one on our calendar wow and so the next one on our calendar wow and so um I la two weeks ago I walked in no um I la two weeks ago I walked in no um I la two weeks ago I walked in no they had um buffalo chicken dip sitting they had um buffalo chicken dip sitting they had um buffalo chicken dip sitting on the counter and I ate some of it and on the counter and I ate some of it and on the counter and I ate some of it and then I said to the husband oh my gosh I then I said to the husband oh my gosh I then I said to the husband oh my gosh I didn't even ask and he said I can't didn't even ask and he said I can't didn't even ask and he said I can't believe at this point you would think believe at this point you would think believe at this point you would think you'd have to ask and I thought why do I you'd have to ask and I thought why do I you'd have to ask and I thought why do I think I have to think I have to think I have to ask and so and so those friendships have ask and so and so those friendships have ask and so and so those friendships have so they gave us this DTR kind of thing so they gave us this DTR kind of thing so they gave us this DTR kind of thing between our between me yeah where I kind between our between me yeah where I kind between our between me yeah where I kind of went yeah I'm never going to ask of went yeah I'm never going to ask of went yeah I'm never going to ask again he was like don't ever ask again again he was like don't ever ask again again he was like don't ever ask again and and it deepened our relationship and and it deepened our relationship and and it deepened our relationship that isn't going to happen that isn't going to happen that isn't going to happen online but we do have the opportunity to online but we do have the opportunity to online but we do have the opportunity to reach people who would never come to a reach people who would never come to a reach people who would never come to a church who would I I'll tell this story church who would I I'll tell this story church who would I I'll tell this story um I had surgery a couple of months ago um I had surgery a couple of months ago um I had surgery a couple of months ago and some of the doctors and nurses and some of the doctors and nurses and some of the doctors and nurses believe what we believe and some of them believe what we believe and some of them believe what we believe and some of them don't sure and I told a story from stage don't sure and I told a story from stage don't sure and I told a story from stage about the surgery and one of a nurse's about the surgery and one of a nurse's about the surgery and one of a nurse's friends tagged her on Instagram and said friends tagged her on Instagram and said friends tagged her on Instagram and said did you hear Annie tell the story well did you hear Annie tell the story well did you hear Annie tell the story well then the nurse ends up watching the then the nurse ends up watching the then the nurse ends up watching the whole service wow she doesn't get up and whole service wow she doesn't get up and whole service wow she doesn't get up and come to our church she doesn't know me come to our church she doesn't know me come to our church she doesn't know me except passed out getting surgery right except passed out getting surgery right except passed out getting surgery right she knows the sleep sleeping version of she knows the sleep sleeping version of she knows the sleep sleeping version of me she probably liked her better and but me she probably liked her better and but me she probably liked her better and but she watched a whole church service that she watched a whole church service that she watched a whole church service that was available online because I told a was available online because I told a was available online because I told a story and one of her friends were in the story and one of her friends were in the story and one of her friends were in the room and her friend tagged her when I room and her friend tagged her when I room and her friend tagged her when I told the story that has nothing to do told the story that has nothing to do told the story that has nothing to do with me I just got up and did my part with me I just got up and did my part with me I just got up and did my part the friend tagging the friend she could the friend tagging the friend she could the friend tagging the friend she could watch it online with ever leaving her

watch it online with ever leaving her watch it online with ever leaving her home so we we want to appreciate that home so we we want to appreciate that home so we we want to appreciate that Community can happen that way and that Community can happen that way and that Community can happen that way and that connection can happen that way we just connection can happen that way we just connection can happen that way we just don't want that to be the only thing and don't want that to be the only thing and don't want that to be the only thing and we also don't want to go forget it we we also don't want to go forget it we we also don't want to go forget it we aren't serving the aren't serving the aren't serving the internet so you know you're reminding me internet so you know you're reminding me internet so you know you're reminding me of a conversation and I had a couple of a conversation and I had a couple of a conversation and I had a couple years ago with Nikki Gumble Nikki from years ago with Nikki Gumble Nikki from years ago with Nikki Gumble Nikki from alpha amazing Ministry if you haven't alpha amazing Ministry if you haven't alpha amazing Ministry if you haven't checked it out out of the UK and for checked it out out of the UK and for checked it out out of the UK and for years for decades Alpha has been years for decades Alpha has been years for decades Alpha has been incredibly effective at reaching un incredibly effective at reaching un incredibly effective at reaching un church people and they do it over a meal church people and they do it over a meal church people and they do it over a meal and they get all these people and Nikki and they get all these people and Nikki and they get all these people and Nikki for years was totally against online for years was totally against online for years was totally against online Ministry like that won't work Alpha the Ministry like that won't work Alpha the Ministry like that won't work Alpha the secret is a meal it's real life secret is a meal it's real life secret is a meal it's real life connection and then Co hit he had no connection and then Co hit he had no connection and then Co hit he had no choice the team had been telling you got choice the team had been telling you got choice the team had been telling you got to go online and I had a conversation to go online and I had a conversation to go online and I had a conversation with him where he said publicly I was with him where he said publicly I was with him where he said publicly I was wrong and what he discovered he there wrong and what he discovered he there wrong and what he discovered he there Alpha is still happening in person and Alpha is still happening in person and Alpha is still happening in person and that's sort of the destination but now that's sort of the destination but now that's sort of the destination but now they offer online groups people go get they offer online groups people go get they offer online groups people go get intimate a lot faster it's like what you intimate a lot faster it's like what you intimate a lot faster it's like what you said about somebody joining the chat at said about somebody joining the chat at said about somebody joining the chat at Cross Point going hey can you please Cross Point going hey can you please Cross Point going hey can you please pray my marriage is hanging on by a pray my marriage is hanging on by a pray my marriage is hanging on by a thread I don't know what's going on thread I don't know what's going on thread I don't know what's going on chances are that person has nobody to chances are that person has nobody to chances are that person has nobody to talk to yeah they're not leaning over talk to yeah they're not leaning over talk to yeah they're not leaning over and saying that on a Sunday morning cuz and saying that on a Sunday morning cuz and saying that on a Sunday morning cuz if they had people to talk to they're if they had people to talk to they're if they had people to talk to they're not dropping that in the chat that's not dropping that in the chat that's not dropping that in the chat that's right that's exactly because that's right that's exactly because that's right that's exactly because that's something that they've dealt with and something that they've dealt with and something that they've dealt with and he's like we're going to run a hybrid he's like we're going to run a hybrid he's like we're going to run a hybrid thing now we still love in person but thing now we still love in person but thing now we still love in person but people are going faster and he says if people are going faster and he says if people are going faster and he says if you're going to re reach Muslims they you're going to re reach Muslims they you're going to re reach Muslims they can't show up at a Gothic looking Church

can't show up at a Gothic looking Church can't show up at a Gothic looking Church on a Tuesday night at 7:00 for a meal on a Tuesday night at 7:00 for a meal on a Tuesday night at 7:00 for a meal without being shunned by their Community without being shunned by their Community without being shunned by their Community but they can sneak in online and find but they can sneak in online and find but they can sneak in online and find stuff I'd love for you to comment stuff I'd love for you to comment stuff I'd love for you to comment because you have such a robust online because you have such a robust online because you have such a robust online community about the kind of community about the kind of community about the kind of disclosures emails DMs like what's disclosures emails DMs like what's disclosures emails DMs like what's happening in your online community that happening in your online community that happening in your online community that is real and is real and is real and vulnerable yeah it sometimes makes me vulnerable yeah it sometimes makes me vulnerable yeah it sometimes makes me sad I know because my DMs get filled up sad I know because my DMs get filled up sad I know because my DMs get filled up with people who need discipleship and so with people who need discipleship and so with people who need discipleship and so what does that look like without what does that look like without what does that look like without revealing revealing revealing confidence well if they put it in my DMs confidence well if they put it in my DMs confidence well if they put it in my DMs they certainly should understand that they certainly should understand that they certainly should understand that that I have not signed an NDA in any of that I have not signed an NDA in any of that I have not signed an NDA in any of their lives so so you're coming to me their lives so so you're coming to me their lives so so you're coming to me sis um you know I it has really shown me sis um you know I it has really shown me sis um you know I it has really shown me I mean I I had a girl DM me last week I mean I I had a girl DM me last week I mean I I had a girl DM me last week and say I live a state away from my and say I live a state away from my and say I live a state away from my family I'm not married I'm my family I'm not married I'm my family I'm not married I'm my grandparents are still alive but is grandparents are still alive but is grandparents are still alive but is moving home going moving home going moving home going backwards and I was like if your backwards and I was like if your backwards and I was like if your grandpar I mean I can see most of yall grandpar I mean I can see most of yall grandpar I mean I can see most of yall are I'm 44 my grandparents haven't been are I'm 44 my grandparents haven't been are I'm 44 my grandparents haven't been alive for 15 years I'm like if your alive for 15 years I'm like if your alive for 15 years I'm like if your grandparents are alive go there grandparents are alive go there grandparents are alive go there grandparents are so great loving grandparents are so great loving grandparents are so great loving grandparents are so great and and so so grandparents are so great and and so so grandparents are so great and and so so there's moments like that that what I there's moments like that that what I there's moments like that that what I what I wish she had was a mentor or what I wish she had was a mentor or what I wish she had was a mentor or someone who discipled her or a small someone who discipled her or a small someone who discipled her or a small group supposed to be a friend who could group supposed to be a friend who could group supposed to be a friend who could answer that for her yes and very often answer that for her yes and very often answer that for her yes and very often if I respond I respond with I actually

if I respond I respond with I actually if I respond I respond with I actually can't answer this for you because I can't answer this for you because I can't answer this for you because I don't know your life but I can tell you don't know your life but I can tell you don't know your life but I can tell you that there's probably someone I always that there's probably someone I always that there's probably someone I always send them to y'all there's probably send them to y'all there's probably send them to y'all there's probably someone in your church who would love to someone in your church who would love to someone in your church who would love to answer this for you and so I that is answer this for you and so I that is answer this for you and so I that is what I and and and my line is always I what I and and and my line is always I what I and and and my line is always I don't know enough of you to give you don't know enough of you to give you don't know enough of you to give you wise counsel now this girl I said in wise counsel now this girl I said in wise counsel now this girl I said in your walk with God there is no going your walk with God there is no going your walk with God there is no going backwards if you're pursuing him your backwards if you're pursuing him your backwards if you're pursuing him your city doesn't determine if you're going city doesn't determine if you're going city doesn't determine if you're going backwards and so there is no going backwards and so there is no going backwards and so there is no going backwards with God go beting your backwards with God go beting your backwards with God go beting your grandparents you know I get because I grandparents you know I get because I grandparents you know I get because I talk about burnout a lot I get a lot of talk about burnout a lot I get a lot of talk about burnout a lot I get a lot of questions I get a ton of DMS uh from questions I get a ton of DMS uh from questions I get a ton of DMS uh from lead pastors who are like am I done am I lead pastors who are like am I done am I lead pastors who are like am I done am I finished at this church and I don't know finished at this church and I don't know finished at this church and I don't know the Adam and very similar advice I don't the Adam and very similar advice I don't the Adam and very similar advice I don't know that I can answer your question know that I can answer your question know that I can answer your question thank you so much for asking it are thank you so much for asking it are thank you so much for asking it are there a couple of people in your there a couple of people in your there a couple of people in your community who know you yes who know the community who know you yes who know the community who know you yes who know the situation who love you enough to tell situation who love you enough to tell situation who love you enough to tell you the truth yes you know because you the truth yes you know because you the truth yes you know because telling the truth is hard oh you should telling the truth is hard oh you should telling the truth is hard oh you should stay oh you should no if I really love stay oh you should no if I really love stay oh you should no if I really love you I'm G to tell you the truth yeah you I'm G to tell you the truth yeah you I'm G to tell you the truth yeah that's right and do you have that that's right and do you have that that's right and do you have that person's same advice over and over again person's same advice over and over again person's same advice over and over again and I wonder as we think about and I wonder as we think about and I wonder as we think about connection yes whether you know there connection yes whether you know there connection yes whether you know there are so if you're translating this for a are so if you're translating this for a are so if you're translating this for a church with an online Ministry yes and church with an online Ministry yes and church with an online Ministry yes and it's not ANF Downs or the caring off it's not ANF Downs or the caring off it's not ANF Downs or the caring off leadership podcast that's handling this leadership podcast that's handling this leadership podcast that's handling this what recommendations would you have for what recommendations would you have for what recommendations would you have for churches on how to handle those like churches on how to handle those like churches on how to handle those like here's my really heartfelt prayer here's my really heartfelt prayer here's my really heartfelt prayer request yeah subtext in Brackets yes I

request yeah subtext in Brackets yes I request yeah subtext in Brackets yes I do not have any actual friends yes which do not have any actual friends yes which do not have any actual friends yes which is a growing number of people or the is a growing number of people or the is a growing number of people or the thing I need to ask someone I I can't thing I need to ask someone I I can't thing I need to ask someone I I can't ask someone in my life exactly and so ask someone in my life exactly and so ask someone in my life exactly and so they trust us so I mean one of my they trust us so I mean one of my they trust us so I mean one of my thoughts in real time Carrie is are you thoughts in real time Carrie is are you thoughts in real time Carrie is are you checking your pastor's DMS not not for checking your pastor's DMS not not for checking your pastor's DMS not not for their good or bad behavior but but the their good or bad behavior but but the their good or bad behavior but but the the people who are listening to your the people who are listening to your the people who are listening to your church online are listening to the church online are listening to the church online are listening to the teaching Pastor right so that's who they teaching Pastor right so that's who they teaching Pastor right so that's who they feel the most connected with probably feel the most connected with probably feel the most connected with probably over your Church's Instagram account so over your Church's Instagram account so over your Church's Instagram account so they may be sending you stuff in your they may be sending you stuff in your they may be sending you stuff in your Church's Instagram account that you can Church's Instagram account that you can Church's Instagram account that you can Channel them to someone who can disciple Channel them to someone who can disciple Channel them to someone who can disciple them but but I'm I my bet is and Church them but but I'm I my bet is and Church them but but I'm I my bet is and Church of the city New York John Tyson gets the of the city New York John Tyson gets the of the city New York John Tyson gets the DMS not Church of the city New York I DMS not Church of the city New York I DMS not Church of the city New York I bet Kevin gets the DMS not Cross Point bet Kevin gets the DMS not Cross Point bet Kevin gets the DMS not Cross Point as much percentage wise so is someone as much percentage wise so is someone as much percentage wise so is someone checking the DMS of the of the teaching checking the DMS of the of the teaching checking the DMS of the of the teaching Pastor that week to say is any is there Pastor that week to say is any is there Pastor that week to say is any is there any discipleship that needs to be done any discipleship that needs to be done any discipleship that needs to be done just send them our way or can you I just send them our way or can you I just send them our way or can you I often do that I'll screenshot a DM yep often do that I'll screenshot a DM yep often do that I'll screenshot a DM yep and send it to my team can we help this and send it to my team can we help this and send it to my team can we help this person out I'll give them a quick person out I'll give them a quick person out I'll give them a quick response yes I think that's a great idea response yes I think that's a great idea response yes I think that's a great idea you know what and chances are 2 to 3x you know what and chances are 2 to 3x you know what and chances are 2 to 3x the number of people people will follow the number of people people will follow the number of people people will follow a person over an organization a church a person over an organization a church a person over an organization a church that's right right your podcast network that's right right your podcast network that's right right your podcast network doesn't have as many followers as that's doesn't have as many followers as that's doesn't have as many followers as that's right that's exactly right and so I right that's exactly right and so I right that's exactly right and so I think that is one way that we can help think that is one way that we can help think that is one way that we can help is we can be monitoring the people the is we can be monitoring the people the is we can be monitoring the people the people that are connected are we in people that are connected are we in people that are connected are we in trouble oh there we go need a

microphone all right microphone all right wild that's great huh well I hope you're wild that's great huh well I hope you're wild that's great huh well I hope you're still having a great time um still having a great time um still having a great time um so I think that's an important one is is so I think that's an important one is is so I think that's an important one is is figuring out monitoring the teaching figuring out monitoring the teaching figuring out monitoring the teaching pastor and then also what you know so pastor and then also what you know so pastor and then also what you know so much of the DMs I get are from I'm not much of the DMs I get are from I'm not much of the DMs I get are from I'm not married yet so a lot of them are from married yet so a lot of them are from married yet so a lot of them are from single women who want who want to feel single women who want who want to feel single women who want who want to feel connected at their church and want to connected at their church and want to connected at their church and want to feel seen and and my what I am saying to feel seen and and my what I am saying to feel seen and and my what I am saying to the single people just for y'all to know the single people just for y'all to know the single people just for y'all to know is I'm saying have you said this to is I'm saying have you said this to is I'm saying have you said this to anyone at your church are you helping anyone at your church are you helping anyone at your church are you helping this situation at all or are you just this situation at all or are you just this situation at all or are you just complaining to me and so because if they complaining to me and so because if they complaining to me and so because if they aren't willing to help and so I go I aren't willing to help and so I go I aren't willing to help and so I go I posted about a um I I spoke at a church posted about a um I I spoke at a church posted about a um I I spoke at a church about singleness a couple at the about singleness a couple at the about singleness a couple at the beginning of the month and three women beginning of the month and three women beginning of the month and three women from the same church left a comment I from the same church left a comment I from the same church left a comment I wish our church had this I wish and I wish our church had this I wish and I wish our church had this I wish and I said do y'all see each other start it said do y'all see each other start it said do y'all see each other start it there's three of you you're right here there's three of you you're right here there's three of you you're right here meet each other get together tell your meet each other get together tell your meet each other get together tell your group's Pastor you're starting a group group's Pastor you're starting a group group's Pastor you're starting a group and see who else joins and I was like and see who else joins and I was like and see who else joins and I was like stop complaining and I didn't tell them stop complaining and I didn't tell them stop complaining and I didn't tell them to stop complaining I'm saying that to to stop complaining I'm saying that to to stop complaining I'm saying that to y'all in my head I thought stop y'all in my head I thought stop y'all in my head I thought stop complaining and get together but what I complaining and get together but what I complaining and get together but what I said to them is wild three of you from said to them is wild three of you from said to them is wild three of you from the same church are right here this is the same church are right here this is the same church are right here this is very exciting looks like there's a small very exciting looks like there's a small very exciting looks like there's a small group well I think that that's something group well I think that that's something group well I think that that's something else I wanted to say too so I love the else I wanted to say too so I love the else I wanted to say too so I love the idea that the people online we have to idea that the people online we have to idea that the people online we have to connect in real life somehow and we got connect in real life somehow and we got connect in real life somehow and we got to somehow because you can have a to somehow because you can have a to somehow because you can have a virtual group you can have a Facebook virtual group you can have a Facebook virtual group you can have a Facebook group or whatever some kind of campus group or whatever some kind of campus group or whatever some kind of campus chat but you want to drive that to real chat but you want to drive that to real chat but you want to drive that to real relationship yeah but there's also a sea

relationship yeah but there's also a sea relationship yeah but there's also a sea of people who actually physically attend of people who actually physically attend of people who actually physically attend a church who feel feel all alone yes and a church who feel feel all alone yes and a church who feel feel all alone yes and you last year or the year before felt you last year or the year before felt you last year or the year before felt like God put it on your heart to start like God put it on your heart to start like God put it on your heart to start this single purpose League yes uh tell this single purpose League yes uh tell this single purpose League yes uh tell us a little bit about that and what us a little bit about that and what us a little bit about that and what you're learning about people who can I you're learning about people who can I you're learning about people who can I just say they're alone together it's just say they're alone together it's just say they're alone together it's like Robert putam bowling alone yes like Robert putam bowling alone yes like Robert putam bowling alone yes right like there's takeout is now 72% of right like there's takeout is now 72% of right like there's takeout is now 72% of all us restaurant sales wow like people all us restaurant sales wow like people all us restaurant sales wow like people aren't dining together anymore they're aren't dining together anymore they're aren't dining together anymore they're just taking it home watching Netflix just taking it home watching Netflix just taking it home watching Netflix that kind of thing so there's a lot of that kind of thing so there's a lot of that kind of thing so there's a lot of people in a room who feel all alone and people in a room who feel all alone and people in a room who feel all alone and that's happening at our churches and that's happening at our churches and that's happening at our churches and everybody says oh we're a friendly everybody says oh we're a friendly everybody says oh we're a friendly church it's like well have you dug down church it's like well have you dug down church it's like well have you dug down on that yes will you tell the other stat on that yes will you tell the other stat on that yes will you tell the other stat you have about um marriage how many you have about um marriage how many you have about um marriage how many people in a oh yeah sorry I can't quote people in a oh yeah sorry I can't quote people in a oh yeah sorry I can't quote this uh we're talking backstage I can't this uh we're talking backstage I can't this uh we're talking backstage I can't quote this chapter in verse but I was quote this chapter in verse but I was quote this chapter in verse but I was looking at a graph recently that showed looking at a graph recently that showed looking at a graph recently that showed that the number of single people living that the number of single people living that the number of single people living single and alone in America is now single and alone in America is now single and alone in America is now greater than the number of people with greater than the number of people with greater than the number of people with husband and wife and kids at home yeah husband and wife and kids at home yeah husband and wife and kids at home yeah that there are more single person that there are more single person that there are more single person households yes than there are and that households yes than there are and that households yes than there are and that could be divorced it could be never could be divorced it could be never could be divorced it could be never married it could be uh you know we broke married it could be uh you know we broke married it could be uh you know we broke up we are never married but we had a kid up we are never married but we had a kid up we are never married but we had a kid it could be single parents so there's a it could be single parents so there's a it could be single parents so there's a real variety now but the idea that oh real variety now but the idea that oh real variety now but the idea that oh we're going to plant a church and reach we're going to plant a church and reach we're going to plant a church and reach you know uh married people with kids you know uh married people with kids you know uh married people with kids you're actually shooting for minority of

you're actually shooting for minority of you're actually shooting for minority of the US population and that's happening the US population and that's happening the US population and that's happening right now in time in 1970 the US Census right now in time in 1970 the US Census right now in time in 1970 the US Census was that 23% of people over 18 were was that 23% of people over 18 were was that 23% of people over 18 were single the 2023 census is 46.4 so half single the 2023 census is 46.4 so half single the 2023 census is 46.4 so half half of America now only 20% of the half of America now only 20% of the half of America now only 20% of the churches according to Bara 23 22% of the churches according to Bara 23 22% of the churches according to Bara 23 22% of the church is single but that is one in four church is single but that is one in four church is single but that is one in four people sitting out there at your church people sitting out there at your church people sitting out there at your church is not married today whether they're is not married today whether they're is not married today whether they're never married divorced or widowed and so never married divorced or widowed and so never married divorced or widowed and so um we started single purpose league um we started single purpose league um we started single purpose league y'all are not going to believe story I y'all are not going to believe story I y'all are not going to believe story I did a series two summers ago on the did a series two summers ago on the did a series two summers ago on the podcast called Summer 11 about dating podcast called Summer 11 about dating podcast called Summer 11 about dating and as a marketing plan we decided to and as a marketing plan we decided to and as a marketing plan we decided to say to the internet hey if you're single say to the internet hey if you're single say to the internet hey if you're single I want to send you an email all we I want to send you an email all we I want to send you an email all we wanted to do was tell the single people wanted to do was tell the single people wanted to do was tell the single people we were doing the series and so we and we were doing the series and so we and we were doing the series and so we and and previous to this I haven't talked and previous to this I haven't talked and previous to this I haven't talked about being single very publicly I about being single very publicly I about being single very publicly I didn't want to be the poster child right didn't want to be the poster child right didn't want to be the poster child right and so that felt not fun to me and and and so that felt not fun to me and and and so that felt not fun to me and and so I got online and I said hey if you're so I got online and I said hey if you're so I got online and I said hey if you're not married today I would love to send not married today I would love to send not married today I would love to send you an email I'm not selling you you an email I'm not selling you you an email I'm not selling you anything can I just send you an email anything can I just send you an email anything can I just send you an email and we were hoping for a thousand in the and we were hoping for a thousand in the and we were hoping for a thousand in the for in the week that we had to announce for in the week that we had to announce for in the week that we had to announce this thing in about five hours we had a this thing in about five hours we had a this thing in about five hours we had a thousand wow by the end of the week we thousand wow by the end of the week we thousand wow by the end of the week we had 20,000 email had 20,000 email had 20,000 email addresses and what that what God kind of addresses and what that what God kind of addresses and what that what God kind of whispered to me in that moment was not whispered to me in that moment was not whispered to me in that moment was not that singles were not being served that singles were not being served that singles were not being served somewhere it's that 20,000 singles somewhere it's that 20,000 singles somewhere it's that 20,000 singles wanted to hear from me about singleness

wanted to hear from me about singleness wanted to hear from me about singleness and I was like no thanks um and I was like no thanks um and I was like no thanks um but what ended up coming from it is our but what ended up coming from it is our but what ended up coming from it is our team I mean we just had this moment team I mean we just had this moment team I mean we just had this moment you've had this at church where you say you've had this at church where you say you've had this at church where you say um okay we're going to do a Sunday um okay we're going to do a Sunday um okay we're going to do a Sunday evening service and see if anybody comes evening service and see if anybody comes evening service and see if anybody comes and then it fills up and you're like oh and then it fills up and you're like oh and then it fills up and you're like oh my yeah or opening a college Ministry or my yeah or opening a college Ministry or my yeah or opening a college Ministry or a singles Ministry or a divorce Ministry a singles Ministry or a divorce Ministry a singles Ministry or a divorce Ministry or marriage Ministry and suddenly so or marriage Ministry and suddenly so or marriage Ministry and suddenly so many more people sign up than you many more people sign up than you many more people sign up than you thought and you're like it almost feels thought and you're like it almost feels thought and you're like it almost feels like a sacred moment of understanding like a sacred moment of understanding like a sacred moment of understanding and so we just had a sacred moment of and so we just had a sacred moment of and so we just had a sacred moment of understanding that God was asking us to understanding that God was asking us to understanding that God was asking us to do something as a team that we did not do something as a team that we did not do something as a team that we did not realize we were going to be asked to do realize we were going to be asked to do realize we were going to be asked to do and so that's was the birth of single and so that's was the birth of single and so that's was the birth of single purpose League we just said okay we're purpose League we just said okay we're purpose League we just said okay we're going to do a gathering an online going to do a gathering an online going to do a gathering an online Gathering a a patreon that says if you Gathering a a patreon that says if you Gathering a a patreon that says if you want to talk about this if you are a want to talk about this if you are a want to talk about this if you are a Christian that is not married today and Christian that is not married today and Christian that is not married today and you want to talk about that part of your you want to talk about that part of your you want to talk about that part of your life we I mean we kind of joke all the life we I mean we kind of joke all the life we I mean we kind of joke all the time we know nobody wants to be in this time we know nobody wants to be in this time we know nobody wants to be in this group but if you want to be in this group but if you want to be in this group but if you want to be in this group you can be in this group and so group you can be in this group and so group you can be in this group and so there's there's there's about 2,000 people that are in it right about 2,000 people that are in it right about 2,000 people that are in it right now um for the last year and right out a now um for the last year and right out a now um for the last year and right out a year uh today today's our one year of year uh today today's our one year of year uh today today's our one year of having single purpose League and we've having single purpose League and we've having single purpose League and we've had about another 1500 come and go um had about another 1500 come and go um had about another 1500 come and go um whenever someone starts dating they whenever someone starts dating they whenever someone starts dating they leave we leave we leave we understand and but we did a survey understand and but we did a survey understand and but we did a survey pretty early on Carrie and we said do pretty early on Carrie and we said do pretty early on Carrie and we said do you feel seen and cared for by your you feel seen and cared for by your you feel seen and cared for by your church and oh 46% said no but that is church and oh 46% said no but that is church and oh 46% said no but that is not to give you not to steal your hope not to give you not to steal your hope not to give you not to steal your hope here's the hope then we said where do here's the hope then we said where do here's the hope then we said where do you want to meet someone of the top 10 you want to meet someone of the top 10 you want to meet someone of the top 10 four of them were church or Church of four of them were church or Church of four of them were church or Church of Jason so not Tinder uh no I mean online

Jason so not Tinder uh no I mean online Jason so not Tinder uh no I mean online apps are on there but not I mean so was apps are on there but not I mean so was apps are on there but not I mean so was at my church through my church friends at my church through my church friends at my church through my church friends and and so what that said to us is and and so what that said to us is and and so what that said to us is singles want to be involved in church singles want to be involved in church singles want to be involved in church and they want to be seen they don't feel and they want to be seen they don't feel and they want to be seen they don't feel seen that is not only a Church's problem seen that is not only a Church's problem seen that is not only a Church's problem that's also the single people's problem that's also the single people's problem that's also the single people's problem and so I'm Katie bman who leads single and so I'm Katie bman who leads single and so I'm Katie bman who leads single purpose league with me we are spending a purpose league with me we are spending a purpose league with me we are spending a lot of time reminding Christian singles lot of time reminding Christian singles lot of time reminding Christian singles you have a role in this to not just you have a role in this to not just you have a role in this to not just complain but to be a part of the complain but to be a part of the complain but to be a part of the solution because this you and I have solution because this you and I have solution because this you and I have talked about this but all my pastor talked about this but all my pastor talked about this but all my pastor friends are mostly male and most men who friends are mostly male and most men who friends are mostly male and most men who got into pastoring said I want to be a got into pastoring said I want to be a got into pastoring said I want to be a pastor I should get married or I'm G to pastor I should get married or I'm G to pastor I should get married or I'm G to get married so I have a partner that get married so I have a partner that get married so I have a partner that goes with me in this great I love goes with me in this great I love goes with me in this great I love marriage I want to do it I think you did marriage I want to do it I think you did marriage I want to do it I think you did the right thing um and so what happens the right thing um and so what happens the right thing um and so what happens is a lot of my peers got married in is a lot of my peers got married in is a lot of my peers got married in their 20s and then they went to Seminary their 20s and then they went to Seminary their 20s and then they went to Seminary and now they're running churches 20 and now they're running churches 20 and now they're running churches 20 years later 30 years later well you years later 30 years later well you years later 30 years later well you didn't experience singleness and you didn't experience singleness and you didn't experience singleness and you didn't get trained in it either so how didn't get trained in it either so how didn't get trained in it either so how in the world can we expect you to in the world can we expect you to in the world can we expect you to understand yeah I was last single at 23 understand yeah I was last single at 23 understand yeah I was last single at 23 what do I remember that's right so it's what do I remember that's right so it's what do I remember that's right so it's super unfair of single people to expect super unfair of single people to expect super unfair of single people to expect our pastors to understand it's like our pastors to understand it's like our pastors to understand it's like Landing you on Mars and being like Landing you on Mars and being like Landing you on Mars and being like breathe we're breathing why aren't you breathe we're breathing why aren't you breathe we're breathing why aren't you breathing and you're like I have none of breathing and you're like I have none of breathing and you're like I have none of the tools to breathe up here we're like the tools to breathe up here we're like the tools to breathe up here we're like well you should do you not love me you well you should do you not love me you well you should do you not love me you should have the tools to Breathe Here should have the tools to Breathe Here should have the tools to Breathe Here and so I'm saying to single people a lot

and so I'm saying to single people a lot and so I'm saying to single people a lot please go talk to your group's leader please go talk to your group's leader please go talk to your group's leader please go talk to your pastor please ask please go talk to your pastor please ask please go talk to your pastor please ask what you can do to help this you you if what you can do to help this you you if what you can do to help this you you if you want to be seen in church get up and you want to be seen in church get up and you want to be seen in church get up and do something to be seen and then I'm do something to be seen and then I'm do something to be seen and then I'm saying to my pastor friends the singles saying to my pastor friends the singles saying to my pastor friends the singles want to be part of your church and they want to be part of your church and they want to be part of your church and they are half of our country and they will are half of our country and they will are half of our country and they will tell you they don't have enough time to tell you they don't have enough time to tell you they don't have enough time to serve we have plenty of serve we have plenty of serve we have plenty of time we have lots of time we go to yoga time we have lots of time we go to yoga time we have lots of time we go to yoga a a a lot we have time we have time we have lot we have time we have time we have lot we have time we have time we have resources and we want to be there and so resources and we want to be there and so resources and we want to be there and so it's this like I I feel you and I talked it's this like I I feel you and I talked it's this like I I feel you and I talked about this I feel like a real unique about this I feel like a real unique about this I feel like a real unique moment with God that I get to talk to moment with God that I get to talk to moment with God that I get to talk to pastors a lot and I get to talk to pastors a lot and I get to talk to pastors a lot and I get to talk to singles a lot and what I'm hearing from singles a lot and what I'm hearing from singles a lot and what I'm hearing from both is that they want this to be better both is that they want this to be better both is that they want this to be better that's the good news none of the pastors that's the good news none of the pastors that's the good news none of the pastors sitting out here like you know who I sitting out here like you know who I sitting out here like you know who I don't like don't like don't like singles no of of course not you care singles no of of course not you care singles no of of course not you care about the people in your church that are about the people in your church that are about the people in your church that are divorced and you care about the widows divorced and you care about the widows divorced and you care about the widows and the widowers and you care about the and the widowers and you care about the and the widowers and you care about the people who have never been married but people who have never been married but people who have never been married but want to be of course you do so so that's want to be of course you do so so that's want to be of course you do so so that's what pastors feel and what single people what pastors feel and what single people what pastors feel and what single people feel is I I love church and I love Jesus feel is I I love church and I love Jesus feel is I I love church and I love Jesus and I want to be seen and understood and and I want to be seen and understood and and I want to be seen and understood and so there is this opportunity when y'all so there is this opportunity when y'all so there is this opportunity when y'all both want the same thing to meet each both want the same thing to meet each both want the same thing to meet each other and serve the half of the country other and serve the half of the country other and serve the half of the country that is living unmarried I think it's that is living unmarried I think it's that is living unmarried I think it's very tempting to look out over your very tempting to look out over your very tempting to look out over your church even a room like this and go see

church even a room like this and go see church even a room like this and go see all these people are connected in all these people are connected in all these people are connected in community yeah um would you say there's community yeah um would you say there's community yeah um would you say there's a lot of single people who based on that a lot of single people who based on that a lot of single people who based on that 46% who wish your church would do more 46% who wish your church would do more 46% who wish your church would do more whatever the stat was who still feel whatever the stat was who still feel whatever the stat was who still feel alone yes yes because they sit alone yes yes because they sit alone yes yes because they sit alone um or they sit with two other alone um or they sit with two other alone um or they sit with two other single people but on a weekend where single people but on a weekend where single people but on a weekend where those two other single people go on a those two other single people go on a those two other single people go on a ski trip they sit alone they drive in ski trip they sit alone they drive in ski trip they sit alone they drive in alone they Park alone you know that alone they Park alone you know that alone they Park alone you know that because they take up more parking spaces because they take up more parking spaces because they take up more parking spaces and they come in alone so they have to and they come in alone so they have to and they come in alone so they have to do that walk you've done this if you're do that walk you've done this if you're do that walk you've done this if you're married and your husband or wife is out married and your husband or wife is out married and your husband or wife is out of town and you go oh I've got to walk of town and you go oh I've got to walk of town and you go oh I've got to walk in by myself that's what a single person in by myself that's what a single person in by myself that's what a single person does every week is Walk In by thems and does every week is Walk In by thems and does every week is Walk In by thems and look around and go will anybody notice look around and go will anybody notice look around and go will anybody notice me are any of my friends here it's that me are any of my friends here it's that me are any of my friends here it's that Panic of like where's my person where's Panic of like where's my person where's Panic of like where's my person where's my person there's none there's none and my person there's none there's none and my person there's none there's none and so then they hurry and they go sit if so then they hurry and they go sit if so then they hurry and they go sit if they don't see someone they they don't see someone they they don't see someone they recognize they hurry and they go sit recognize they hurry and they go sit recognize they hurry and they go sit somewhere and they kind of scoot toward somewhere and they kind of scoot toward somewhere and they kind of scoot toward a middle middle so they don't have to a middle middle so they don't have to a middle middle so they don't have to talk to anybody or be told to move later talk to anybody or be told to move later talk to anybody or be told to move later they're looking at whatever paper you they're looking at whatever paper you they're looking at whatever paper you handed them or they're on their phone handed them or they're on their phone handed them or they're on their phone doing something very important I'm sure doing something very important I'm sure doing something very important I'm sure until the room gets dark and then they until the room gets dark and then they until the room gets dark and then they relax because now it's relax because now it's relax because now it's dark and um and that is that is what dark and um and that is that is what dark and um and that is that is what happens when you go by happens when you go by happens when you go by yourself I think that is so helpful for yourself I think that is so helpful for yourself I think that is so helpful for us to understand and to listen to and I us to understand and to listen to and I us to understand and to listen to and I would also say as a married person if would also say as a married person if would also say as a married person if you think about it you're right it is you think about it you're right it is you think about it you're right it is normative if you're going to be in a normative if you're going to be in a normative if you're going to be in a Evangelical Church it's normative that Evangelical Church it's normative that Evangelical Church it's normative that you're probably a man you're probably

you're probably a man you're probably you're probably a man you're probably married you've been married for a while married you've been married for a while married you've been married for a while you've got kids and you think that you've got kids and you think that you've got kids and you think that everyone else is moving toward that Norm everyone else is moving toward that Norm everyone else is moving toward that Norm or the marriage broke down and you know or the marriage broke down and you know or the marriage broke down and you know they're not in that Norm but they'll get they're not in that Norm but they'll get they're not in that Norm but they'll get back to that at some point and I just back to that at some point and I just back to that at some point and I just think it's really important to to think it's really important to to think it's really important to to elevate that that actually isn't where elevate that that actually isn't where elevate that that actually isn't where the culture is anymore yeah and um that the culture is anymore yeah and um that the culture is anymore yeah and um that a lot of people even in marriage feel a lot of people even in marriage feel a lot of people even in marriage feel alone one of the things that really alone one of the things that really alone one of the things that really surpris me I'm not a good counselor but surpris me I'm not a good counselor but surpris me I'm not a good counselor but when people would come in for counseling when people would come in for counseling when people would come in for counseling I would almost immediately refer them I would almost immediately refer them I would almost immediately refer them out but I would ask the question well out but I would ask the question well out but I would ask the question well who else have you told this to and who else have you told this to and who else have you told this to and they're like nobody nobody and I'm like they're like nobody nobody and I'm like they're like nobody nobody and I'm like well why not and this is like 15 years well why not and this is like 15 years well why not and this is like 15 years ago they're like well I can't talk to my ago they're like well I can't talk to my ago they're like well I can't talk to my wife about these things I can't talk to wife about these things I can't talk to wife about these things I can't talk to my husband about these things so who do my husband about these things so who do my husband about these things so who do you talk to nobody and that was years you talk to nobody and that was years you talk to nobody and that was years ago now I just see so much isolation ago now I just see so much isolation ago now I just see so much isolation yeah I would love to know um yeah I would love to know um yeah I would love to know um prescriptively prescriptively prescriptively what would you suggest that people could what would you suggest that people could what would you suggest that people could do to help bridge that loneliness Gap do to help bridge that loneliness Gap do to help bridge that loneliness Gap what are some to-dos even one or two what are some to-dos even one or two what are some to-dos even one or two that would be like tangibly helpful I that would be like tangibly helpful I that would be like tangibly helpful I mean I think what your church sees from mean I think what your church sees from mean I think what your church sees from stage matters you don't have to have a stage matters you don't have to have a stage matters you don't have to have a single teacher talk about singleness but single teacher talk about singleness but single teacher talk about singleness but when they see someone unmarried teaching when they see someone unmarried teaching when they see someone unmarried teaching on a Sunday that goes a really long way on a Sunday that goes a really long way on a Sunday that goes a really long way it says that you equal because part of it says that you equal because part of it says that you equal because part of it is we we have this resource NFD it is we we have this resource NFD it is we we have this resource NFD downs.com pastoring singles you can have downs.com pastoring singles you can have downs.com pastoring singles you can have it it's just a seven page or something it it's just a seven page or something it it's just a seven page or something um questions to think about when you're um questions to think about when you're um questions to think about when you're pastoring singles but one of the

pastoring singles but one of the pastoring singles but one of the questions to ask yourself is what's your questions to ask yourself is what's your questions to ask yourself is what's your theology of singleness do you actually theology of singleness do you actually theology of singleness do you actually think a 40-year-old man who's not think a 40-year-old man who's not think a 40-year-old man who's not married is equal in maturity as a married is equal in maturity as a married is equal in maturity as a 40-year old man who is can you listen to 40-year old man who is can you listen to 40-year old man who is can you listen to a 40-year-old man who's teaching a a 40-year-old man who's teaching a a 40-year-old man who's teaching a teaching Pastor who's not married and teaching Pastor who's not married and teaching Pastor who's not married and believe that he has actually done the believe that he has actually done the believe that he has actually done the work with God to be up there it's just work with God to be up there it's just work with God to be up there it's just worth thinking through because you're worth thinking through because you're worth thinking through because you're modeling to your church um modeling to your church um modeling to your church um who you think has a word for them every who you think has a word for them every who you think has a word for them every Sunday and so having a a unmarried Sunday and so having a a unmarried Sunday and so having a a unmarried person leading worship teaching doing person leading worship teaching doing person leading worship teaching doing announcements being part of the offering announcements being part of the offering announcements being part of the offering on Sunday morning goes a really long way on Sunday morning goes a really long way on Sunday morning goes a really long way you know that because you've worked on you know that because you've worked on you know that because you've worked on racial diversity too and and this is racial diversity too and and this is racial diversity too and and this is another version of can you show more another version of can you show more another version of can you show more diversity on stage where you've worked diversity on stage where you've worked diversity on stage where you've worked on age and race and all the things to on age and race and all the things to on age and race and all the things to show the the family of God on your stage show the the family of God on your stage show the the family of God on your stage on a su Sunday is that including people on a su Sunday is that including people on a su Sunday is that including people who are not married in that and it goes who are not married in that and it goes who are not married in that and it goes a goes a really long way and then the a goes a really long way and then the a goes a really long way and then the examples you use as your teaching will examples you use as your teaching will examples you use as your teaching will help build community when your examples help build community when your examples help build community when your examples are this friend comes over and eats with are this friend comes over and eats with are this friend comes over and eats with us or if you're so here's a great us or if you're so here's a great us or if you're so here's a great example I heard a pastor teaching on example I heard a pastor teaching on example I heard a pastor teaching on Sabbath and he said um on your Sabbath Sabbath and he said um on your Sabbath Sabbath and he said um on your Sabbath day just turn your phone off and be with day just turn your phone off and be with day just turn your phone off and be with the people in your the people in your the people in your home that's me I don't even have a pet home that's me I don't even have a pet home that's me I don't even have a pet why why would I how would I have time why why would I how would I have time why why would I how would I have time and so when he follows that and says and and so when he follows that and says and and so when he follows that and says and if you live alone I bet your Sabbath if you live alone I bet your Sabbath if you live alone I bet your Sabbath looks a little different so you can

looks a little different so you can looks a little different so you can still turn your phone off but what if still turn your phone off but what if still turn your phone off but what if you and a couple of people got together you and a couple of people got together you and a couple of people got together and you put your phones to the side and and you put your phones to the side and and you put your phones to the side and y'all had a meal together you're y'all had a meal together you're y'all had a meal together you're encouraging Community you're remembering encouraging Community you're remembering encouraging Community you're remembering from stage that everyone sitting out from stage that everyone sitting out from stage that everyone sitting out there listening to you does not live there listening to you does not live there listening to you does not live with other people and you're normalizing with other people and you're normalizing with other people and you're normalizing that to the people who do live with that to the people who do live with that to the people who do live with other people so all your examples from other people so all your examples from other people so all your examples from stage if you can remember to use stage if you can remember to use stage if you can remember to use examples that also say here's what examples that also say here's what examples that also say here's what Comedia looks like if you're not married Comedia looks like if you're not married Comedia looks like if you're not married it's it's like it's what you just said it's it's like it's what you just said it's it's like it's what you just said it's not just about teaching how it's not just about teaching how it's not just about teaching how marriages Thrive and survive it's about marriages Thrive and survive it's about marriages Thrive and survive it's about how people thrive and survive yeah and how people thrive and survive yeah and how people thrive and survive yeah and there are a lot of people who are there are a lot of people who are there are a lot of people who are choosing not to get married who don't choosing not to get married who don't choosing not to get married who don't want to get married that are going like want to get married that are going like want to get married that are going like I've given my life to God Ken I were I've given my life to God Ken I were I've given my life to God Ken I were talking about this earlier the Catholic talking about this earlier the Catholic talking about this earlier the Catholic church has really done a great job of church has really done a great job of church has really done a great job of making singleness a path this is a path making singleness a path this is a path making singleness a path this is a path toward Abundant Life Protestant church toward Abundant Life Protestant church toward Abundant Life Protestant church has not said there is a path to Abundant has not said there is a path to Abundant has not said there is a path to Abundant Life if you choose not to get married Life if you choose not to get married Life if you choose not to get married and and and instead it has been when you and and and instead it has been when you and and and instead it has been when you get married you can have sex when you get married you can have sex when you get married you can have sex when you get married you can know your calling get married you can know your calling get married you can know your calling when you get married you can have two when you get married you can have two when you get married you can have two incomes and you'll be able to give and incomes and you'll be able to give and incomes and you'll be able to give and instead of going if you never get instead of going if you never get instead of going if you never get married what does it look like to have married what does it look like to have married what does it look like to have Intimate Intimate Intimate Relationships so another thing that's Relationships so another thing that's Relationships so another thing that's happening you split your time between happening you split your time between happening you split your time between Nashville and New York yes and because Nashville and New York yes and because Nashville and New York yes and because I'm single I I'm single I I'm single I can one of one of the trends that's can one of one of the trends that's can one of one of the trends that's fascinating me fascinating me fascinating me people are ditching dating apps I've people are ditching dating apps I've people are ditching dating apps I've heard this on some secular podcasts I've heard this on some secular podcasts I've heard this on some secular podcasts I've looked at they're done with like being looked at they're done with like being looked at they're done with like being ghosted and finding people whose profile

ghosted and finding people whose profile ghosted and finding people whose profile is amazing real life experience is not is amazing real life experience is not is amazing real life experience is not great and in New York and other major great and in New York and other major great and in New York and other major cities running clubs pickle ball clubs cities running clubs pickle ball clubs cities running clubs pickle ball clubs it's like that's where I'm going to meet it's like that's where I'm going to meet it's like that's where I'm going to meet actual human beings and I I wonder if actual human beings and I I wonder if actual human beings and I I wonder if there's a similar married Trend but there's a similar married Trend but there's a similar married Trend but people are like all right online life is people are like all right online life is people are like all right online life is good but it has its limits we're all good but it has its limits we're all good but it has its limits we're all there what are you seeing as an there what are you seeing as an there what are you seeing as an opportunity for church leaders to opportunity for church leaders to opportunity for church leaders to connect with people outside of the connect with people outside of the connect with people outside of the building yeah I'll tell you the funniest building yeah I'll tell you the funniest building yeah I'll tell you the funniest thing we've seen about single purpose thing we've seen about single purpose thing we've seen about single purpose league is we thought these Christian league is we thought these Christian league is we thought these Christian Singles would want to hear good content Singles would want to hear good content Singles would want to hear good content and what keeps happening over and over and what keeps happening over and over and what keeps happening over and over is they want to talk to each other more is they want to talk to each other more is they want to talk to each other more than they want me to talk to them and so than they want me to talk to them and so than they want me to talk to them and so they're doing meetups without us they've they're doing meetups without us they've they're doing meetups without us they've started Instagram Camp accounts without started Instagram Camp accounts without started Instagram Camp accounts without us when we did like a hey meet up us when we did like a hey meet up us when we did like a hey meet up Saturday and put what city you're in and Saturday and put what city you're in and Saturday and put what city you're in and people can join you we had over 50 people can join you we had over 50 people can join you we had over 50 different meetups happen with some of different meetups happen with some of different meetups happen with some of them were two people some of them were them were two people some of them were them were two people some of them were 11 and then we took um we took single 11 and then we took um we took single 11 and then we took um we took single purpose League to Dollywood at Christmas purpose League to Dollywood at Christmas purpose League to Dollywood at Christmas oh yeah which is oh yeah which is oh yeah which is excellent 200 of them came it's in excellent 200 of them came it's in excellent 200 of them came it's in Knoxville it is not easy to get to and Knoxville it is not easy to get to and Knoxville it is not easy to get to and half of them came alone because they half of them came alone because they half of them came alone because they knew when they got there they would meet knew when they got there they would meet knew when they got there they would meet someone that they were friends with someone that they were friends with someone that they were friends with because of what we share so what we are because of what we share so what we are because of what we share so what we are seeing and yes I I mean dating apps are seeing and yes I I mean dating apps are seeing and yes I I mean dating apps are fine it's a way to like fish in a pond I fine it's a way to like fish in a pond I fine it's a way to like fish in a pond I guess but guess but guess but but all over the place we're seeing but all over the place we're seeing but all over the place we're seeing people go hey let's start the people go hey let's start the people go hey let's start the conversation here online and then let's conversation here online and then let's conversation here online and then let's take it into real life or let's just get

take it into real life or let's just get take it into real life or let's just get in a book club and get together or let's in a book club and get together or let's in a book club and get together or let's I mean pickle ball really is the thing I mean pickle ball really is the thing I mean pickle ball really is the thing in New York for for single people it is in New York for for single people it is in New York for for single people it is like go out there in your little pickle like go out there in your little pickle like go out there in your little pickle ball outfit with your paddle and meet a ball outfit with your paddle and meet a ball outfit with your paddle and meet a guy and guy and guy and um and so what my my curiosity around um and so what my my curiosity around um and so what my my curiosity around the church and my curiosity about what the church and my curiosity about what the church and my curiosity about what we get to do in we get to do in we get to do in 2025 is how do we get to um build pickle 2025 is how do we get to um build pickle 2025 is how do we get to um build pickle ball courts that people want to come to ball courts that people want to come to ball courts that people want to come to right like that's a great question like right like that's a great question like right like that's a great question like how how do we build things that people how how do we build things that people how how do we build things that people go I'd rather go to I mean this is what go I'd rather go to I mean this is what go I'd rather go to I mean this is what y'all talk about at every staff meeting y'all talk about at every staff meeting y'all talk about at every staff meeting I know I know but how do we get people I know I know but how do we get people I know I know but how do we get people to I'd rather go to that than sit here to I'd rather go to that than sit here to I'd rather go to that than sit here and do this and and so and is there a and do this and and so and is there a and do this and and so and is there a hybrid version so I'm thinking of um is hybrid version so I'm thinking of um is hybrid version so I'm thinking of um is there a TV show that bunch of people in there a TV show that bunch of people in there a TV show that bunch of people in your church actually want to talk about your church actually want to talk about your church actually want to talk about the chosen would be a christiany one the chosen would be a christiany one the chosen would be a christiany one Severance is a non-Christian one right Severance is a non-Christian one right Severance is a non-Christian one right okay so it's a show everyone's talking okay so it's a show everyone's talking okay so it's a show everyone's talking about so the last three meals I've had about so the last three meals I've had about so the last three meals I've had with friends this week Severance has with friends this week Severance has with friends this week Severance has come up yeah and so can we have a small come up yeah and so can we have a small come up yeah and so can we have a small group around Severance probably not group around Severance probably not group around Severance probably not because I say the F-word a lot but I'm because I say the F-word a lot but I'm because I say the F-word a lot but I'm curious how do we take things that are curious how do we take things that are curious how do we take things that are popping off in culture we're not trying popping off in culture we're not trying popping off in culture we're not trying to copy culture but how do we make that to copy culture but how do we make that to copy culture but how do we make that a discussion Point The Chosen cooperate a discussion Point The Chosen cooperate a discussion Point The Chosen cooperate rather than compete yeah cooperate rather than compete yeah cooperate rather than compete yeah cooperate rather than of going like hey when rather than of going like hey when rather than of going like hey when season five of The Chosen comes out season five of The Chosen comes out season five of The Chosen comes out we're going to show it on Tuesday nights we're going to show it on Tuesday nights we're going to show it on Tuesday nights if y'all want to come watch bring your if y'all want to come watch bring your if y'all want to come watch bring your food eat it eat together sit at a table food eat it eat together sit at a table food eat it eat together sit at a table with your friends and then we'll talk with your friends and then we'll talk with your friends and then we'll talk about it and it doesn't cost anybody

about it and it doesn't cost anybody about it and it doesn't cost anybody money except your staff who's got to be money except your staff who's got to be money except your staff who's got to be there to run you know I'm just curious there to run you know I'm just curious there to run you know I'm just curious if there's a way to cooperate with if there's a way to cooperate with if there's a way to cooperate with pickle ball with the chosen with these pickle ball with the chosen with these pickle ball with the chosen with these things that are taking Center things that are taking Center things that are taking Center conversation and culture where we cuz conversation and culture where we cuz conversation and culture where we cuz people are circling up about the chosen people are circling up about the chosen people are circling up about the chosen whether we playing it or not people are whether we playing it or not people are whether we playing it or not people are circling up around pickle ball whether circling up around pickle ball whether circling up around pickle ball whether we playing it or not what does it look we playing it or not what does it look we playing it or not what does it look like to partner in that and and in your like to partner in that and and in your like to partner in that and and in your community it's something else I community it's something else I community it's something else I understand like Georgia football or you understand like Georgia football or you understand like Georgia football or you know whatever the thing is there's know whatever the thing is there's know whatever the thing is there's something else but what is the thing something else but what is the thing something else but what is the thing that that your community is already that that your community is already that that your community is already circling up about and how do we get in circling up about and how do we get in circling up about and how do we get in the center of it and redeem it with the the center of it and redeem it with the the center of it and redeem it with the gospel Annie this has been so gospel Annie this has been so gospel Annie this has been so fascinating to have this conversation fascinating to have this conversation fascinating to have this conversation with you and to get some practical with you and to get some practical with you and to get some practical takeaways