Bobby Herrington with a High Commitment Model Approach to Assimilation That’s Working

as an operations pastor I know how hard as an operations pastor I know how hard it is to hire the right people I also it is to hire the right people I also it is to hire the right people I also know how hard it is to hire the right know how hard it is to hire the right know how hard it is to hire the right people in ministry that's why I'm people in ministry that's why I'm people in ministry that's why I'm thankful for my friends at the Vander thankful for my friends at the Vander thankful for my friends at the Vander blue mint search group they are the blue mint search group they are the blue mint search group they are the leading search firm for churches and leading search firm for churches and leading search firm for churches and faith-based organizations Vander bloomin faith-based organizations Vander bloomin faith-based organizations Vander bloomin prayerfully comes alongside your team to prayerfully comes alongside your team to prayerfully comes alongside your team to guide you through the search process and guide you through the search process and guide you through the search process and bring you great candidates that fit your bring you great candidates that fit your bring you great candidates that fit your church's unique needs visit Vander blue church's unique needs visit Vander blue church's unique needs visit Vander blue moon calm for more information that's moon calm for more information that's moon calm for more information that's Vander BL 0 e ma n dot com welcome to Vander BL 0 e ma n dot com welcome to Vander BL 0 e ma n dot com welcome to the unseen airy podcast are you looking the unseen airy podcast are you looking the unseen airy podcast are you looking for practical ministry help to drive for practical ministry help to drive for practical ministry help to drive your ministry further faster have a your ministry further faster have a your ministry further faster have a sinking feeling that your ministry sinking feeling that your ministry sinking feeling that your ministry training didn't prepare you for the real training didn't prepare you for the real training didn't prepare you for the real world hey you're not alone join world hey you're not alone join world hey you're not alone join thousands of others have pursuit of thousands of others have pursuit of thousands of others have pursuit of stuff that we wish they had taught in stuff that we wish they had taught in stuff that we wish they had taught in seminary buckle up and let's get started seminary buckle up and let's get started seminary buckle up and let's get started with this week's on seminary podcast with this week's on seminary podcast with this week's on seminary podcast okay everybody welcome to the unsub okay everybody welcome to the unsub okay everybody welcome to the unsub inori podcast my name is rich the host inori podcast my name is rich the host inori podcast my name is rich the host around these parts you know every week around these parts you know every week around these parts you know every week here at on seminary we try to gather here at on seminary we try to gather here at on seminary we try to gather great leaders from across the country great leaders from across the country great leaders from across the country who are leading in some fantastic who are leading in some fantastic who are leading in some fantastic churches to give you an insight into churches to give you an insight into churches to give you an insight into what's happening in their church and what's happening in their church and what's happening in their church and also provides you some kind of practical also provides you some kind of practical also provides you some kind of practical help and today's going to be no help and today's going to be no help and today's going to be no exception it's really my honor today to exception it's really my honor today to exception it's really my honor today to have Bobby Harrington he is the have Bobby Harrington he is the have Bobby Harrington he is the executive pastor at Mercy Hilter just a executive pastor at Mercy Hilter just a executive pastor at Mercy Hilter just a fantastic church in greensboro fantastic church in greensboro fantastic church in greensboro Greensboro North Carolina which is Greensboro North Carolina which is Greensboro North Carolina which is relatively new church and you know burst relatively new church and you know burst relatively new church and you know burst out of the summit church you may have out of the summit church you may have out of the summit church you may have you know meh no JD Greer and their you know meh no JD Greer and their you know meh no JD Greer and their vision really to plan a thousand vision really to plan a thousand vision really to plan a thousand churches over the next 40 years you know churches over the next 40 years you know churches over the next 40 years you know Murray Hill started out in 2012 it's one Murray Hill started out in 2012 it's one Murray Hill started out in 2012 it's one of the fastest growing churches in the of the fastest growing churches in the of the fastest growing churches in the country and Bobby has the distinct honor

country and Bobby has the distinct honor country and Bobby has the distinct honor of being the executive pastor trying to of being the executive pastor trying to of being the executive pastor trying to wrangle all that and make it happen so wrangle all that and make it happen so wrangle all that and make it happen so Bobby welcome to the show yeah man Bobby welcome to the show yeah man Bobby welcome to the show yeah man thanks for having it really excited thanks for having it really excited thanks for having it really excited about it I'm so honored that you would about it I'm so honored that you would about it I'm so honored that you would you'd be here why don't we start with you'd be here why don't we start with you'd be here why don't we start with you know tell us a little bit about you know tell us a little bit about you know tell us a little bit about mercy he'll if people were to come this mercy he'll if people were to come this mercy he'll if people were to come this weekend what would they experience and weekend what would they experience and weekend what would they experience and tell us about your role there yeah so tell us about your role there yeah so tell us about your role there yeah so mercy hill were four years old as a mercy hill were four years old as a mercy hill were four years old as a church we just seen kind of exponential church we just seen kind of exponential church we just seen kind of exponential growth over the last four years just growth over the last four years just growth over the last four years just through being planted by the summit through being planted by the summit through being planted by the summit church and then just kind of really church and then just kind of really church and then just kind of really having almost a doubling every single having almost a doubling every single having almost a doubling every single year last four years way way more than year last four years way way more than year last four years way way more than we can expect and we can expect and we can expect and and what a awesome problem to have you and what a awesome problem to have you and what a awesome problem to have you know thats related problem yeah bad know thats related problem yeah bad know thats related problem yeah bad stress man uh we try to really be a stress man uh we try to really be a stress man uh we try to really be a gospel-centered church in our preaching gospel-centered church in our preaching gospel-centered church in our preaching expositional preaching also very just expositional preaching also very just expositional preaching also very just attraction alinta the field you know we attraction alinta the field you know we attraction alinta the field you know we don't want anything to be offensive to don't want anything to be offensive to don't want anything to be offensive to people accept the gospel so we want people accept the gospel so we want people accept the gospel so we want people to feel very welcome just in when people to feel very welcome just in when people to feel very welcome just in when they come and the feel of it and worship they come and the feel of it and worship they come and the feel of it and worship and everything and so man the main thing and everything and so man the main thing and everything and so man the main thing we do at the church is our weekend we do at the church is our weekend we do at the church is our weekend gatherings and then our community groups gatherings and then our community groups gatherings and then our community groups I mean we do other things but that's I mean we do other things but that's I mean we do other things but that's kind of primarily what we do we're very kind of primarily what we do we're very kind of primarily what we do we're very simple church model yep so yeah that's simple church model yep so yeah that's simple church model yep so yeah that's kind of less than a nut show well that kind of less than a nut show well that kind of less than a nut show well that that's amazing that doubling every year that's amazing that doubling every year that's amazing that doubling every year I know it's probably a lot of church I know it's probably a lot of church I know it's probably a lot of church leaders that are listening in there like leaders that are listening in there like leaders that are listening in there like wow i'd love to have that problem but it wow i'd love to have that problem but it wow i'd love to have that problem but it really is a problem that's a lot of really is a problem that's a lot of really is a problem that's a lot of people to try to get plugged in get people to try to get plugged in get people to try to get plugged in get connected to the church how are you connected to the church how are you connected to the church how are you doing that what does that look like at

doing that what does that look like at doing that what does that look like at mercy hill how are you kind of getting mercy hill how are you kind of getting mercy hill how are you kind of getting people you know I sometimes I like using people you know I sometimes I like using people you know I sometimes I like using the word assimilation but that does the word assimilation but that does the word assimilation but that does remind the board from Star Trek so you remind the board from Star Trek so you remind the board from Star Trek so you know how do you get people assimilated know how do you get people assimilated know how do you get people assimilated get plugged into mercy oh yeah so we've get plugged into mercy oh yeah so we've get plugged into mercy oh yeah so we've had a bit of a transition with that over had a bit of a transition with that over had a bit of a transition with that over the last four years we're kind of unique the last four years we're kind of unique the last four years we're kind of unique in that the first almost year and a half in that the first almost year and a half in that the first almost year and a half we met at night uh in a park in the we met at night uh in a park in the we met at night uh in a park in the clubhouse at fr Sunday night yes so clubhouse at fr Sunday night yes so clubhouse at fr Sunday night yes so really honestly not ideal probably the really honestly not ideal probably the really honestly not ideal probably the worst church building setting you can worst church building setting you can worst church building setting you can imagine a 1970s Clubhouse and apart wood imagine a 1970s Clubhouse and apart wood imagine a 1970s Clubhouse and apart wood paneling all over the walls so that was paneling all over the walls so that was paneling all over the walls so that was kind of what we were doing and we were kind of what we were doing and we were kind of what we were doing and we were doing our best to assimilate people but doing our best to assimilate people but doing our best to assimilate people but I think we were doing what a lot of I think we were doing what a lot of I think we were doing what a lot of churches do and at least kind of in our churches do and at least kind of in our churches do and at least kind of in our sphere types of church you know we were sphere types of church you know we were sphere types of church you know we were I do in a class it wasn't once a month I do in a class it wasn't once a month I do in a class it wasn't once a month it was maybe once a quarter every two it was maybe once a quarter every two it was maybe once a quarter every two months it was kind of random when it was months it was kind of random when it was months it was kind of random when it was we did announce it people would come we we did announce it people would come we we did announce it people would come we wouldn't put a ton of effort into it I wouldn't put a ton of effort into it I wouldn't put a ton of effort into it I mean we didn't have a ton of staff mean we didn't have a ton of staff mean we didn't have a ton of staff involvement I would be there one other involvement I would be there one other involvement I would be there one other staff person would maybe be there and we staff person would maybe be there and we staff person would maybe be there and we would really just kind of talk about the would really just kind of talk about the would really just kind of talk about the theological beliefs of the church what theological beliefs of the church what theological beliefs of the church what we believe and basically just try to get we believe and basically just try to get we believe and basically just try to get people to commit to that we would have a people to commit to that we would have a people to commit to that we would have a church covenant they would sign and that church covenant they would sign and that church covenant they would sign and that was kind of it was kind of it was kind of it and it kind of worked for us I guess for and it kind of worked for us I guess for and it kind of worked for us I guess for the first year and a half but we finally the first year and a half but we finally the first year and a half but we finally just kind of realized hey this isn't just kind of realized hey this isn't just kind of realized hey this isn't it's really not assimilating people into it's really not assimilating people into it's really not assimilating people into what we actually want them to do as a

what we actually want them to do as a what we actually want them to do as a person who's actually like plugged in to person who's actually like plugged in to person who's actually like plugged in to the body because before I move on what the body because before I move on what the body because before I move on what what was happening where you started to what was happening where you started to what was happening where you started to have this creeping sense of like this have this creeping sense of like this have this creeping sense of like this just isn't working like what was it that just isn't working like what was it that just isn't working like what was it that was kind of some of the evidence that was kind of some of the evidence that was kind of some of the evidence that you're thinking you know we need to you're thinking you know we need to you're thinking you know we need to shift this before you made a change yeah shift this before you made a change yeah shift this before you made a change yeah I think it was just well one our lead I think it was just well one our lead I think it was just well one our lead pastor Andrew hopper he he had a pastor Andrew hopper he he had a pastor Andrew hopper he he had a conversation with another pastor in town conversation with another pastor in town conversation with another pastor in town awesome Church arc church and he was awesome Church arc church and he was awesome Church arc church and he was just kind of encouraging us man you know just kind of encouraging us man you know just kind of encouraging us man you know you guys maybe just need to think more you guys maybe just need to think more you guys maybe just need to think more about your assimilation process you know about your assimilation process you know about your assimilation process you know they do the growth track and so Andrew they do the growth track and so Andrew they do the growth track and so Andrew kind of came out of that and we just kind of came out of that and we just kind of came out of that and we just kind of spent some time really just kind kind of spent some time really just kind kind of spent some time really just kind of brainstorming hey how can we change of brainstorming hey how can we change of brainstorming hey how can we change what we do and we just really realize what we do and we just really realize what we do and we just really realize man we we're trying to get people to man we we're trying to get people to man we we're trying to get people to affirm the beliefs of the church but affirm the beliefs of the church but affirm the beliefs of the church but we're not really having to do anything we're not really having to do anything we're not really having to do anything coming out of our assimilation stop coming out of our assimilation stop coming out of our assimilation stop doing so they're not you know they're doing so they're not you know they're doing so they're not you know they're not necessarily like plugging in to not necessarily like plugging in to not necessarily like plugging in to serve or to give or to get the community serve or to give or to get the community serve or to give or to get the community group or to do community ministry it's group or to do community ministry it's group or to do community ministry it's like they're just kind of coming out and like they're just kind of coming out and like they're just kind of coming out and kind of check in a box and say hey we're kind of check in a box and say hey we're kind of check in a box and say hey we're going to be part of your church you know going to be part of your church you know going to be part of your church you know but I kind of feel like New Testament but I kind of feel like New Testament but I kind of feel like New Testament church membership is really more about church membership is really more about church membership is really more about it is about the beliefs obviously but it is about the beliefs obviously but it is about the beliefs obviously but it's really about a certain group of it's really about a certain group of it's really about a certain group of people together one local body doing people together one local body doing people together one local body doing certain things together so the community certain things together so the community certain things together so the community sharing the gospel you know giving sharing the gospel you know giving sharing the gospel you know giving generosity stewardship all those things generosity stewardship all those things generosity stewardship all those things that's the part we just totally we're that's the part we just totally we're that's the part we just totally we're missing you know interesting yeah I know

missing you know interesting yeah I know missing you know interesting yeah I know you know in our church when we launched you know in our church when we launched you know in our church when we launched to launch a new campus we've a similar to launch a new campus we've a similar to launch a new campus we've a similar kind of focus in that the only thing kind of focus in that the only thing kind of focus in that the only thing that people can sign up for is to that people can sign up for is to that people can sign up for is to volunteer to plug in and actually make volunteer to plug in and actually make volunteer to plug in and actually make the thing happen what we don't really the thing happen what we don't really the thing happen what we don't really want to know are you just going to go to want to know are you just going to go to want to know are you just going to go to the new thing we want to know are you the new thing we want to know are you the new thing we want to know are you gonna plug in are you going to be you gonna plug in are you going to be you gonna plug in are you going to be you know a part of it you're going to make know a part of it you're going to make know a part of it you're going to make it happened so what did you shift to so it happened so what did you shift to so it happened so what did you shift to so you kind of went from like a more you kind of went from like a more you kind of went from like a more standard kind of sounds like it more standard kind of sounds like it more standard kind of sounds like it more like a theological kind of this is what like a theological kind of this is what like a theological kind of this is what we believe to here's how we want you to we believe to here's how we want you to we believe to here's how we want you to engage here's how we want you to plug in engage here's how we want you to plug in engage here's how we want you to plug in and what did that look like how did you and what did that look like how did you and what did that look like how did you come come come increase the engagement yes so we did increase the engagement yes so we did increase the engagement yes so we did about three or four things just about three or four things just about three or four things just completely different we really just kind completely different we really just kind completely different we really just kind of blew up the old process and um it was of blew up the old process and um it was of blew up the old process and um it was really a god thing for us in terms of really a god thing for us in terms of really a god thing for us in terms of the timing because it happened right the timing because it happened right the timing because it happened right when we switched from Sunday nights to when we switched from Sunday nights to when we switched from Sunday nights to Sunday mornings and so we just saw you Sunday mornings and so we just saw you Sunday mornings and so we just saw you know we went from like 400 to like 900 know we went from like 400 to like 900 know we went from like 400 to like 900 people in like a three or four month people in like a three or four month people in like a three or four month period so we're also switching our period so we're also switching our period so we're also switching our assimilation process during the same assimilation process during the same assimilation process during the same time so it just it just happened to be time so it just it just happened to be time so it just it just happened to be really the perfect time for us so the really the perfect time for us so the really the perfect time for us so the first thing we did is we closed all the first thing we did is we closed all the first thing we did is we closed all the other doors of connection to our church other doors of connection to our church other doors of connection to our church yo so sometimes in churches it's like yo so sometimes in churches it's like yo so sometimes in churches it's like man you could sign up to volunteer you man you could sign up to volunteer you man you could sign up to volunteer you could sign up for a community group you could sign up for a community group you could sign up for a community group you know you can maybe sign up for something know you can maybe sign up for something know you can maybe sign up for something for community ministry and so there's a for community ministry and so there's a for community ministry and so there's a lot of different doors and that a person lot of different doors and that a person lot of different doors and that a person can't connect to the church so we just can't connect to the church so we just can't connect to the church so we just totally shut all those doors now right totally shut all those doors now right totally shut all those doors now right and we started telling people hey pretty and we started telling people hey pretty and we started telling people hey pretty much the only way to connect to Mercy much the only way to connect to Mercy much the only way to connect to Mercy Hill is to our weekend or process hmm so Hill is to our weekend or process hmm so Hill is to our weekend or process hmm so we shall all the other doors down uh the we shall all the other doors down uh the we shall all the other doors down uh the other thing we did and I don't know why

other thing we did and I don't know why other thing we did and I don't know why we just had thought of this before we we we just had thought of this before we we we just had thought of this before we we started announcing it pretty much every started announcing it pretty much every started announcing it pretty much every single week okay yep so we have it once single week okay yep so we have it once single week okay yep so we have it once a month and we announce it probably 45 a month and we announce it probably 45 a month and we announce it probably 45 of the 52 weeks a year Wow so it's your of the 52 weeks a year Wow so it's your of the 52 weeks a year Wow so it's your connelly talking about it you're con cai connelly talking about it you're con cai connelly talking about it you're con cai moving people towards it yeah so in our moving people towards it yeah so in our moving people towards it yeah so in our services will you two announcements will services will you two announcements will services will you two announcements will do two announcements and some sort of do two announcements and some sort of do two announcements and some sort of missional blessing great for missional blessing great for missional blessing great for missionaries the congregation whatever missionaries the congregation whatever missionaries the congregation whatever so typically every single week one of so typically every single week one of so typically every single week one of those announcements is the weekend or so those announcements is the weekend or so those announcements is the weekend or so Wow over time people kind of get the you Wow over time people kind of get the you Wow over time people kind of get the you know just that your regular person the know just that your regular person the know just that your regular person the congregation they have a new friend or congregation they have a new friend or congregation they have a new friend or somebody that comes and that new friends somebody that comes and that new friends somebody that comes and that new friends like now I'm not really sure how do I like now I'm not really sure how do I like now I'm not really sure how do I get connected everybody knows hey the get connected everybody knows hey the get connected everybody knows hey the only way to get connected is the weekend only way to get connected is the weekend only way to get connected is the weekend right yeah that is that the big board to right yeah that is that the big board to right yeah that is that the big board to connect to Mercy Hill interesting now connect to Mercy Hill interesting now connect to Mercy Hill interesting now how much of you know you kind of the how much of you know you kind of the how much of you know you kind of the retool would you say was this the fact retool would you say was this the fact retool would you say was this the fact that you're doing it all the time is it that you're doing it all the time is it that you're doing it all the time is it was has that been critical to the was has that been critical to the was has that been critical to the success you feel like yeah we do it once success you feel like yeah we do it once success you feel like yeah we do it once a month on some other sides the month of a month on some other sides the month of a month on some other sides the month of December and then we'll take one month December and then we'll take one month December and then we'll take one month off in summer okay someone's hearing him off in summer okay someone's hearing him off in summer okay someone's hearing him yeah so it's very consistent we have yeah so it's very consistent we have yeah so it's very consistent we have very high very high very high staff commitment so on friday night of staff commitment so on friday night of staff commitment so on friday night of the weekender are pretty much our entire the weekender are pretty much our entire the weekender are pretty much our entire staff is there Wow elite definitely all staff is there Wow elite definitely all staff is there Wow elite definitely all our full-time staff so we got 29 people our full-time staff so we got 29 people our full-time staff so we got 29 people and staff from intern to full time and and staff from intern to full time and and staff from intern to full time and I'd say 15 of them are going to be there I'd say 15 of them are going to be there I'd say 15 of them are going to be there on that Friday night of the weekend or on that Friday night of the weekend or on that Friday night of the weekend or so people kind of feel that all our

so people kind of feel that all our so people kind of feel that all our staff and all the congregation just staff and all the congregation just staff and all the congregation just knows hey if you're if you if you meet knows hey if you're if you if you meet knows hey if you're if you if you meet somebody new you tell them to go to the somebody new you tell them to go to the somebody new you tell them to go to the weekender I mean everybody everybody you weekender I mean everybody everybody you weekender I mean everybody everybody you can't be our church for like two or can't be our church for like two or can't be our church for like two or three months you start feeling guilty three months you start feeling guilty three months you start feeling guilty that you have pretty good right the that you have pretty good right the that you have pretty good right the other thing that we did in terms of just other thing that we did in terms of just other thing that we did in terms of just changing the whole process is changing changing the whole process is changing changing the whole process is changing it into something that's more than just it into something that's more than just it into something that's more than just what people believe but the weekender is what people believe but the weekender is what people believe but the weekender is about plugging them in to do some things about plugging them in to do some things about plugging them in to do some things so the basic kind of format it's a so the basic kind of format it's a so the basic kind of format it's a Friday night Saturday morning and then Friday night Saturday morning and then Friday night Saturday morning and then sunday they shout out one of our teams sunday they shout out one of our teams sunday they shout out one of our teams yet oh that's back up here so you always yet oh that's back up here so you always yet oh that's back up here so you always a weekender that's I thought that was a weekender that's I thought that was a weekender that's I thought that was just a clever name so you went from like just a clever name so you went from like just a clever name so you went from like a one hour class or something like that a one hour class or something like that a one hour class or something like that every couple months to a friday night every couple months to a friday night every couple months to a friday night saturday morning and sunday experience saturday morning and sunday experience saturday morning and sunday experience yeah oh my goodness and all that okay so yeah oh my goodness and all that okay so yeah oh my goodness and all that okay so walk through what happens at each of walk through what happens at each of walk through what happens at each of those yeah it's funny because some those yeah it's funny because some those yeah it's funny because some people were telling us we did this or people were telling us we did this or people were telling us we did this or like there's no way this is gonna work like there's no way this is gonna work like there's no way this is gonna work right it sounds crazy right yeah you right it sounds crazy right yeah you right it sounds crazy right yeah you know you're out you're asking people to know you're out you're asking people to know you're out you're asking people to go up like six hours the weekend or go up like six hours the weekend or go up like six hours the weekend or whatever but we tried it I mean we we whatever but we tried it I mean we we whatever but we tried it I mean we we suddenly like 400 people the very first suddenly like 400 people the very first suddenly like 400 people the very first year um and we were only a church of year um and we were only a church of year um and we were only a church of like 800 at the time or 900 you know like 800 at the time or 900 you know like 800 at the time or 900 you know soviet miss mom um so friday night is soviet miss mom um so friday night is soviet miss mom um so friday night is really kind of the theological portion really kind of the theological portion really kind of the theological portion where we have to kind of our long talks where we have to kind of our long talks where we have to kind of our long talks so they come friday night we have a so they come friday night we have a so they come friday night we have a catered a nice catered meal up let's say catered a nice catered meal up let's say catered a nice catered meal up let's say there'll be 10-15 tables a lot of hosts there'll be 10-15 tables a lot of hosts there'll be 10-15 tables a lot of hosts at every table that's a staff member so at every table that's a staff member so at every table that's a staff member so all all of our staff members and their

all all of our staff members and their all all of our staff members and their spouses will be there hosting the table spouses will be there hosting the table spouses will be there hosting the table so the people come hang out for 30-45 so the people come hang out for 30-45 so the people come hang out for 30-45 minutes just get to know our staff hang minutes just get to know our staff hang minutes just get to know our staff hang out meet people meet some other new out meet people meet some other new out meet people meet some other new people that are at their table and just people that are at their table and just people that are at their table and just plug into the church and then we'll have plug into the church and then we'll have plug into the church and then we'll have two talks that are more theological the two talks that are more theological the two talks that are more theological the first one is on our ministry plumb lines first one is on our ministry plumb lines first one is on our ministry plumb lines and they use these a lot at the summit and they use these a lot at the summit and they use these a lot at the summit JD's real big on these and we've really JD's real big on these and we've really JD's real big on these and we've really use these and just it's all about our use these and just it's all about our use these and just it's all about our kind of DNA and ministry philosophy so kind of DNA and ministry philosophy so kind of DNA and ministry philosophy so we just kind of talk about how we do we just kind of talk about how we do we just kind of talk about how we do ministry as a church so we want to be ministry as a church so we want to be ministry as a church so we want to be very clear that we're a simple church very clear that we're a simple church very clear that we're a simple church you know we don't own a ton of you know we don't own a ton of you know we don't own a ton of ministries we just do a couple of ministries we just do a couple of ministries we just do a couple of different ones and so people really different ones and so people really different ones and so people really understand the ministry philosophy and understand the ministry philosophy and understand the ministry philosophy and then the second talk we do is more then the second talk we do is more then the second talk we do is more theological where I I do it I do a theological where I I do it I do a theological where I I do it I do a teaching on really some of the big core teaching on really some of the big core teaching on really some of the big core theological beliefs of the church you theological beliefs of the church you theological beliefs of the church you know the Bible baptism the church elders know the Bible baptism the church elders know the Bible baptism the church elders kind of all that so that's Friday night kind of all that so that's Friday night kind of all that so that's Friday night Saturday morning is all about how people Saturday morning is all about how people Saturday morning is all about how people get connected to the church so we have a get connected to the church so we have a get connected to the church so we have a talk on generosity we have a talk on talk on generosity we have a talk on talk on generosity we have a talk on serving so that you know Sunday morning serving so that you know Sunday morning serving so that you know Sunday morning first impressions our tech team all that first impressions our tech team all that first impressions our tech team all that and then we have a talk on community and then we have a talk on community and then we have a talk on community groups wow so that Saturday morning they groups wow so that Saturday morning they groups wow so that Saturday morning they come out of that kind of understanding come out of that kind of understanding come out of that kind of understanding okay hey these are my next steps this is okay hey these are my next steps this is okay hey these are my next steps this is how I connect in all these different how I connect in all these different how I connect in all these different areas and we'll give them something like areas and we'll give them something like areas and we'll give them something like in the top and generosity you know we in the top and generosity you know we in the top and generosity you know we have a print up or like hey you know have a print up or like hey you know have a print up or like hey you know here's how to do online giving if you here's how to do online giving if you here's how to do online giving if you want to you know here's here's how to want to you know here's here's how to want to you know here's here's how to plug into this sunday they come we have plug into this sunday they come we have plug into this sunday they come we have three services right now so we have two

three services right now so we have two three services right now so we have two Sunday morning services and a Sunday Sunday morning services and a Sunday Sunday morning services and a Sunday night service they're all the exact same night service they're all the exact same night service they're all the exact same service they come and they shadow a service they come and they shadow a service they come and they shadow a volunteer team on sunday and get plugged volunteer team on sunday and get plugged volunteer team on sunday and get plugged in that way so that's kind of the wow in that way so that's kind of the wow in that way so that's kind of the wow that's kind of the whole process now that's kind of the whole process now that's kind of the whole process now talk about kind of the results from that talk about kind of the results from that talk about kind of the results from that so you know compare and contrast you so you know compare and contrast you so you know compare and contrast you talked a little bit about that that you talked a little bit about that that you talked a little bit about that that you know first year you did it you you know know first year you did it you you know know first year you did it you you know assimilated 400 people how does that assimilated 400 people how does that assimilated 400 people how does that compare to like first time gas or like compare to like first time gas or like compare to like first time gas or like out what are you kind of seeing as the out what are you kind of seeing as the out what are you kind of seeing as the results of all that activity because results of all that activity because results of all that activity because that's a tremendous amount of activity that's a tremendous amount of activity that's a tremendous amount of activity right right yeah we're seeing a lot of right right yeah we're seeing a lot of right right yeah we're seeing a lot of people plug in to serve coming out of it people plug in to serve coming out of it people plug in to serve coming out of it and plug in to the things that we're and plug in to the things that we're and plug in to the things that we're kind of asking them to plug into we're kind of asking them to plug into we're kind of asking them to plug into we're very clear upfront that it's the whole very clear upfront that it's the whole very clear upfront that it's the whole weekend it's kind of a big commitment weekend it's kind of a big commitment weekend it's kind of a big commitment but it's very very important for us and but it's very very important for us and but it's very very important for us and we kind of feel like we've been able to we kind of feel like we've been able to we kind of feel like we've been able to kind of call people up to that level kind of call people up to that level kind of call people up to that level right um and a lot of times people just right um and a lot of times people just right um and a lot of times people just kind of dive in headfirst amazing so kind of dive in headfirst amazing so kind of dive in headfirst amazing so yeah I mean it's every month is a little yeah I mean it's every month is a little yeah I mean it's every month is a little different you know some months we'll see different you know some months we'll see different you know some months we'll see people that have been at the church for people that have been at the church for people that have been at the church for like two years for 18 months where like two years for 18 months where like two years for 18 months where you've been you've been you've been yeah they kind of feel a little yeah they kind of feel a little yeah they kind of feel a little embarrassed you know and it cited in men embarrassed you know and it cited in men embarrassed you know and it cited in men to search for two years you know and to search for two years you know and to search for two years you know and then you know during other seasons then you know during other seasons then you know during other seasons especially you know seasons where especially you know seasons where especially you know seasons where there's a lot of first-time guess we'll there's a lot of first-time guess we'll there's a lot of first-time guess we'll just see a ton of first-time guests at just see a ton of first-time guests at just see a ton of first-time guests at the weekend during some people are not the weekend during some people are not the weekend during some people are not ready especially an environment where we ready especially an environment where we ready especially an environment where we have a lot of college students you know have a lot of college students you know have a lot of college students you know maybe a lot of unbelievers come to the maybe a lot of unbelievers come to the maybe a lot of unbelievers come to the church some people just aren't ready for church some people just aren't ready for church some people just aren't ready for that right kind of jumping in feet first that right kind of jumping in feet first that right kind of jumping in feet first you know but other people who maybe they you know but other people who maybe they you know but other people who maybe they move to the area and they're a believer

move to the area and they're a believer move to the area and they're a believer and they got some church background it's and they got some church background it's and they got some church background it's just kind of an easy process for them to just kind of an easy process for them to just kind of an easy process for them to just kind of plug right in wow that's just kind of plug right in wow that's just kind of plug right in wow that's amazing so how many people are you at amazing so how many people are you at amazing so how many people are you at you know attend on a weekend now and you know attend on a weekend now and you know attend on a weekend now and what's kind of the last few months kind what's kind of the last few months kind what's kind of the last few months kind of average weekend or attendance I'm of average weekend or attendance I'm of average weekend or attendance I'm trying to get a sense of scale of you trying to get a sense of scale of you trying to get a sense of scale of you know what the right right so our church know what the right right so our church know what the right right so our church size right now we just we have probably size right now we just we have probably size right now we just we have probably 350 college students may be so they just 350 college students may be so they just 350 college students may be so they just all left for this method so your boom all left for this method so your boom all left for this method so your boom drops down a lot of them going back up drops down a lot of them going back up drops down a lot of them going back up north and stuffs we had some private north and stuffs we had some private north and stuffs we had some private schools see a lot of that so right now schools see a lot of that so right now schools see a lot of that so right now we're probably total attendance uh we're probably total attendance uh we're probably total attendance uh fourteen fifteen hundred people yep I'd fourteen fifteen hundred people yep I'd fourteen fifteen hundred people yep I'd imagine in the fall we're gonna be up imagine in the fall we're gonna be up imagine in the fall we're gonna be up near two thousand probably right like near two thousand probably right like near two thousand probably right like 200 something like that so that's kind 200 something like that so that's kind 200 something like that so that's kind of gives you an idea of our size yeah of gives you an idea of our size yeah of gives you an idea of our size yeah our weekenders are typically anywhere our weekenders are typically anywhere our weekenders are typically anywhere between 25 on the small size 290 maybe between 25 on the small size 290 maybe between 25 on the small size 290 maybe I'm just depending on kind of how things I'm just depending on kind of how things I'm just depending on kind of how things are going so a lot of times it's like are going so a lot of times it's like are going so a lot of times it's like we'll have a smaller one 30 35 and then we'll have a smaller one 30 35 and then we'll have a smaller one 30 35 and then we'll have one with like 65-70 right but we'll have one with like 65-70 right but we'll have one with like 65-70 right but but even at all even at 90 that's still but even at all even at 90 that's still but even at all even at 90 that's still a reasonable size group to connect with a reasonable size group to connect with a reasonable size group to connect with you know that's not that's not an you know that's not that's not an you know that's not that's not an overwhelming number of people you know overwhelming number of people you know overwhelming number of people you know particularly yeah friday night if you've particularly yeah friday night if you've particularly yeah friday night if you've got 15 staff there you know everybody's got 15 staff there you know everybody's got 15 staff there you know everybody's going to get a touch everybody's going going to get a touch everybody's going going to get a touch everybody's going to get connected with somebody you know to get connected with somebody you know to get connected with somebody you know that's that's amazing and what would you that's that's amazing and what would you that's that's amazing and what would you say to other churches that are thinking say to other churches that are thinking say to other churches that are thinking huh maybe this is an interesting way to huh maybe this is an interesting way to huh maybe this is an interesting way to go maybe we should go crazy like these go maybe we should go crazy like these go maybe we should go crazy like these guys and you know jump in what would you guys and you know jump in what would you guys and you know jump in what would you do different knowing out what you do do different knowing out what you do do different knowing out what you do about the weekender yeah man i just

about the weekender yeah man i just about the weekender yeah man i just think i just think we didn't think think i just think we didn't think think i just think we didn't think enough about assimilation on the front enough about assimilation on the front enough about assimilation on the front end or when we started our church um I end or when we started our church um I end or when we started our church um I mean you know we're in the south and so mean you know we're in the south and so mean you know we're in the south and so sometimes people in South just show up sometimes people in South just show up sometimes people in South just show up for church and they don't even know why for church and they don't even know why for church and they don't even know why somebody's just somebody's just somebody's just out of them you know it's it's a more out of them you know it's it's a more out of them you know it's it's a more kind of friendly environment but in kind of friendly environment but in kind of friendly environment but in general I would say man if a church has general I would say man if a church has general I would say man if a church has good preaching and they do their good preaching and they do their good preaching and they do their services well there's gonna be services well there's gonna be services well there's gonna be word-of-mouth advertising people are word-of-mouth advertising people are word-of-mouth advertising people are going to invite people but the way you going to invite people but the way you going to invite people but the way you grow is if those people stay yes you grow is if those people stay yes you grow is if those people stay yes you know it's like Larry Osborne's book know it's like Larry Osborne's book know it's like Larry Osborne's book sticky church it's like man you have as sticky church it's like man you have as sticky church it's like man you have as many people come to the front door as many people come to the front door as many people come to the front door as you want but they're really the you want but they're really the you want but they're really the difference between church that are difference between church that are difference between church that are growing church that or not it's not that growing church that or not it's not that growing church that or not it's not that new people don't ever show up it's just new people don't ever show up it's just new people don't ever show up it's just that new people that show up actually that new people that show up actually that new people that show up actually stay yeah so you know however you do the stay yeah so you know however you do the stay yeah so you know however you do the assimilation process your church it's assimilation process your church it's assimilation process your church it's got to be maybe the very most important got to be maybe the very most important got to be maybe the very most important thing that you do besides preaching the thing that you do besides preaching the thing that you do besides preaching the gospel I mean absolutely no so that's gospel I mean absolutely no so that's gospel I mean absolutely no so that's like what attracts people and then like what attracts people and then like what attracts people and then that's what gets people stay so that's what gets people stay so that's what gets people stay so absolutely you know I think most absolutely you know I think most absolutely you know I think most churches actually their problem isn't churches actually their problem isn't churches actually their problem isn't it's not it's not really a are there it's not it's not really a are there it's not it's not really a are there enough guests coming to the church even enough guests coming to the church even enough guests coming to the church even even small churches that's really not even small churches that's really not even small churches that's really not their problem their problem is getting their problem their problem is getting their problem their problem is getting people to stick and stay and you know people to stick and stay and you know people to stick and stay and you know what I love that you're doing here is what I love that you're doing here is what I love that you're doing here is you put a bunch of resources effort and you put a bunch of resources effort and you put a bunch of resources effort and energy towards trying to capture those energy towards trying to capture those energy towards trying to capture those people you're doing it and I think I people you're doing it and I think I people you're doing it and I think I think there is something behind you you think there is something behind you you think there is something behind you you mentioned there there's something about mentioned there there's something about mentioned there there's something about kind of a hike all like hey this is a kind of a hike all like hey this is a kind of a hike all like hey this is a big deal you're going to have to invest big deal you're going to have to invest big deal you're going to have to invest a bunch in this to make this happen

a bunch in this to make this happen a bunch in this to make this happen which then sets people up in the right which then sets people up in the right which then sets people up in the right mindset for then when you're mindset for then when you're mindset for then when you're articulating hey here is you know your articulating hey here is you know your articulating hey here is you know your next step here's how you take those next next step here's how you take those next next step here's how you take those next steps because they're cut they're steps because they're cut they're steps because they're cut they're already they've already made a huge already they've already made a huge already they've already made a huge commitment to be there in the first commitment to be there in the first commitment to be there in the first place this is the uncen airy podcast place this is the uncen airy podcast place this is the uncen airy podcast stuff you wish they taught in seminary stuff you wish they taught in seminary stuff you wish they taught in seminary well we're gonna jump into the lightning well we're gonna jump into the lightning well we're gonna jump into the lightning around that part of the show where we around that part of the show where we around that part of the show where we ask similar questions of everybody ask similar questions of everybody ask similar questions of everybody that's on the show today super excited that's on the show today super excited that's on the show today super excited to have Bobby Harrington with us from to have Bobby Harrington with us from to have Bobby Harrington with us from mercy Hill Church it's a great church mercy Hill Church it's a great church mercy Hill Church it's a great church doing something great stuff Bobby what's doing something great stuff Bobby what's doing something great stuff Bobby what's an online resource you're using these an online resource you're using these an online resource you're using these days that's helping you out man I went days that's helping you out man I went days that's helping you out man I went say it's an online resource but we've say it's an online resource but we've say it's an online resource but we've recently moved to mag bookkeeping yeah recently moved to mag bookkeeping yeah recently moved to mag bookkeeping yeah nice which for an executive pastor nice which for an executive pastor nice which for an executive pastor that's huge wrote we're only about a that's huge wrote we're only about a that's huge wrote we're only about a month in but that's been it's been month in but that's been it's been month in but that's been it's been really really good I feel like I know it really really good I feel like I know it really really good I feel like I know it wasn't your podcast that's all that when wasn't your podcast that's all that when wasn't your podcast that's all that when somebody else's podcasts I think I know somebody else's podcasts I think I know somebody else's podcasts I think I know they're great mag is fantastic if you if they're great mag is fantastic if you if they're great mag is fantastic if you if you haven't checked out mag bookkeeping you haven't checked out mag bookkeeping you haven't checked out mag bookkeeping you should how is the onboarding process you should how is the onboarding process you should how is the onboarding process was that because obviously you're early was that because obviously you're early was that because obviously you're early in but you in but you in but you like kind of the transition over there like kind of the transition over there like kind of the transition over there like a third party out sourced like a third party out sourced like a third party out sourced bookkeeping you know service for folks bookkeeping you know service for folks bookkeeping you know service for folks that don't know how was the process of that don't know how was the process of that don't know how was the process of getting on board with them yeah so we getting on board with them yeah so we getting on board with them yeah so we were doing everything in-house from the were doing everything in-house from the were doing everything in-house from the very beginning I have a business very beginning I have a business very beginning I have a business background and I basically just locked background and I basically just locked background and I basically just locked myself in the basement taught myself how myself in the basement taught myself how myself in the basement taught myself how to bookkeeping at the beginning and so to bookkeeping at the beginning and so to bookkeeping at the beginning and so that's kind of how we've started but that's kind of how we've started but that's kind of how we've started but we've grown so much now um we finally we've grown so much now um we finally we've grown so much now um we finally were to say hey we got we got to do were to say hey we got we got to do were to say hey we got we got to do something different here so it's been something different here so it's been something different here so it's been really good I mean they are very really good I mean they are very really good I mean they are very professional and you can just tell that professional and you can just tell that professional and you can just tell that man they're they're experts in their man they're they're experts in their man they're they're experts in their field and what they do and it's like man field and what they do and it's like man field and what they do and it's like man what comes to finance and stuff that's what comes to finance and stuff that's what comes to finance and stuff that's what you want absolutely you want to

what you want absolutely you want to what you want absolutely you want to mess around with that for sure what's a mess around with that for sure what's a mess around with that for sure what's a book you've read in the last I don't book you've read in the last I don't book you've read in the last I don't know maybe six months to a year that's know maybe six months to a year that's know maybe six months to a year that's had an impact on your thinking yeah so had an impact on your thinking yeah so had an impact on your thinking yeah so I'm in the last stages of finishing my I'm in the last stages of finishing my I'm in the last stages of finishing my PhD and systematic theology so I've kind PhD and systematic theology so I've kind PhD and systematic theology so I've kind of made a commitment over the last two of made a commitment over the last two of made a commitment over the last two years I don't read anything except the years I don't read anything except the years I don't read anything except the Bible and stuff having to do with my Bible and stuff having to do with my Bible and stuff having to do with my dissertation so yes I'm actually writing dissertation so yes I'm actually writing dissertation so yes I'm actually writing my dissertation on a philosophy of and my dissertation on a philosophy of and my dissertation on a philosophy of and kind of the ideological analysis of kind of the ideological analysis of kind of the ideological analysis of multi-site churches hmm very cool so multi-site churches hmm very cool so multi-site churches hmm very cool so there's not a lot there's not out there there's not a lot there's not out there there's not a lot there's not out there from a theological perspective so one from a theological perspective so one from a theological perspective so one book I've recently read is a Tim book I've recently read is a Tim book I've recently read is a Tim Keller's new book on preaching mm-hmm Keller's new book on preaching mm-hmm Keller's new book on preaching mm-hmm after i think the subtitles uh I don't I after i think the subtitles uh I don't I after i think the subtitles uh I don't I can't remember subtitle is but the can't remember subtitle is but the can't remember subtitle is but the general tide of the book is just pre general tide of the book is just pre general tide of the book is just pre DiSpirito tim kelleher yeah that's great DiSpirito tim kelleher yeah that's great DiSpirito tim kelleher yeah that's great book really interesting it's a lot of book really interesting it's a lot of book really interesting it's a lot of people pick up a ton of stuff from people pick up a ton of stuff from people pick up a ton of stuff from Keller's preaching gospel-centered you Keller's preaching gospel-centered you Keller's preaching gospel-centered you know engaging with skeptics all of that know engaging with skeptics all of that know engaging with skeptics all of that but in this book he actually kind of but in this book he actually kind of but in this book he actually kind of gives you the philosophy of all of it gives you the philosophy of all of it gives you the philosophy of all of it not very very good very cool what's not very very good very cool what's not very very good very cool what's another ministry are looking to that's another ministry are looking to that's another ministry are looking to that's kind of inspiring you these days yeah I kind of inspiring you these days yeah I kind of inspiring you these days yeah I mean uh man it's hot we're so inspired mean uh man it's hot we're so inspired mean uh man it's hot we're so inspired by the sauna church which you know it's by the sauna church which you know it's by the sauna church which you know it's just kind of like sister Church of ours just kind of like sister Church of ours just kind of like sister Church of ours I mean that's kind of where you know 30 I mean that's kind of where you know 30 I mean that's kind of where you know 30 members from our launch team a number of members from our launch team a number of members from our launch team a number of our staff members we all came from the our staff members we all came from the our staff members we all came from the summit there right up the road from us summit there right up the road from us summit there right up the road from us oh there are only just a little more oh there are only just a little more oh there are only just a little more than an hour from us so um man yeah we than an hour from us so um man yeah we than an hour from us so um man yeah we just Sorcerer's inspired by everything just Sorcerer's inspired by everything just Sorcerer's inspired by everything they do so very cool very good if you they do so very cool very good if you they do so very cool very good if you could get 15 minutes with any leader could get 15 minutes with any leader could get 15 minutes with any leader alive who would you want to get that

alive who would you want to get that alive who would you want to get that with and why yeah um I would think with and why yeah um I would think with and why yeah um I would think probably Matt Chandler probably Matt Chandler probably Matt Chandler I just love his kind of commitment to I just love his kind of commitment to I just love his kind of commitment to theology preaching the Bible but he's theology preaching the Bible but he's theology preaching the Bible but he's also in a very fast-growing church you also in a very fast-growing church you also in a very fast-growing church you know it's cool to see kind of that and know it's cool to see kind of that and know it's cool to see kind of that and both you know his love for church both you know his love for church both you know his love for church planning actually 90 that very cool planning actually 90 that very cool planning actually 90 that very cool while I can imagine being executive while I can imagine being executive while I can imagine being executive pastor keeps you really busy what do you pastor keeps you really busy what do you pastor keeps you really busy what do you do just for fun when you want to kick do just for fun when you want to kick do just for fun when you want to kick back relax you know have a little fun back relax you know have a little fun back relax you know have a little fun yeah so um man I'm an addicted runner so yeah so um man I'm an addicted runner so yeah so um man I'm an addicted runner so nice I'm probably anywhere from like 40 nice I'm probably anywhere from like 40 nice I'm probably anywhere from like 40 to 60 miles a week Wow trail running to 60 miles a week Wow trail running to 60 miles a week Wow trail running just I run every day but monday so it's just I run every day but monday so it's just I run every day but monday so it's kind of what keeps me sane honestly I kind of what keeps me sane honestly I kind of what keeps me sane honestly I work all day getting home go for a work all day getting home go for a work all day getting home go for a really hard run and then G PhD work for really hard run and then G PhD work for really hard run and then G PhD work for like three hours that night so that's like three hours that night so that's like three hours that night so that's good right there any kind of breaks up good right there any kind of breaks up good right there any kind of breaks up the day a little bit for absolutely well the day a little bit for absolutely well the day a little bit for absolutely well that's cool well Bobby I appreciate me that's cool well Bobby I appreciate me that's cool well Bobby I appreciate me on the show today if people out to get on the show today if people out to get on the show today if people out to get in touch with the church or with you how in touch with the church or with you how in touch with the church or with you how can they do that yeah probably are the can they do that yeah probably are the can they do that yeah probably are the church's Twitter Instagram it's all at church's Twitter Instagram it's all at church's Twitter Instagram it's all at mercile gso church website mercy Hill mercile gso church website mercy Hill mercile gso church website mercy Hill gso calm spite of this way great thanks gso calm spite of this way great thanks gso calm spite of this way great thanks so much while we appreciate you on the so much while we appreciate you on the so much while we appreciate you on the show today yeah thanks thank you for show today yeah thanks thank you for show today yeah thanks thank you for tuning in to this week's unsung re tuning in to this week's unsung re tuning in to this week's unsung re podcast don't be shy we'd love to podcast don't be shy we'd love to podcast don't be shy we'd love to connect check out uncie maneri inbox you connect check out uncie maneri inbox you connect check out uncie maneri inbox you can sign up at unsummon re calm and can sign up at unsummon re calm and can sign up at unsummon re calm and we'll send you helpful training we'll send you helpful training we'll send you helpful training resources every week plus you'll gain resources every week plus you'll gain resources every week plus you'll gain immediate access to our exclusive immediate access to our exclusive immediate access to our exclusive members area with tons of resources you members area with tons of resources you members area with tons of resources you can use connect with rich on twitter add

can use connect with rich on twitter add can use connect with rich on twitter add rich birch or through email rich at rich birch or through email rich at rich birch or through email rich at unsummon ericom don't forget to check unsummon ericom don't forget to check unsummon ericom don't forget to check out the show notes for this episode at out the show notes for this episode at out the show notes for this episode at unset maneri com it includes links to unset maneri com it includes links to unset maneri com it includes links to what we talked about today and more what we talked about today and more what we talked about today and more leave a comment we'd love to hear from leave a comment we'd love to hear from leave a comment we'd love to hear from you did you enjoy today's episode drop you did you enjoy today's episode drop you did you enjoy today's episode drop by itunes and leave a review thanks by itunes and leave a review thanks by itunes and leave a review thanks again for tuning in to this week's on again for tuning in to this week's on again for tuning in to this week's on seminary podcast join us next week when seminary podcast join us next week when seminary podcast join us next week when we'll learn more stuff we wish they we'll learn more stuff we wish they we'll learn more stuff we wish they taught in seminary