Dean Inserra

Inspired by a question on another blog…I asked our staff the question of “what drives you?”

Here is what drives me:

I am driven by the fact that I really, seriously, believe that Christ is the very one He claims to be.
 
I am driven by the thousands in this city that do no know Christ.
 
I am driven by the horrible Church experience that many in this city have had.
 
I am driven by the fact that I believe Hell is a real place where real people go.
 
I am driven by wanting Tommy to grow up truly getting and loving the Gospel…that he can’t help but live it out.

Once again…the word that comes to mind is Urgency.

Urgency!

That is the word that is on my mind tonight as I type this. Tallahassee is a city that is very far from God. Florida State and TCC are campuses that are lost, lost, lost. The young professional scene…good mercy. Don’t even get me started on the need there. How many marriages are falling apart in our city? There is a cute little mask that Tallahassee likes to put on pretending it is this charming little Bible belt city. B.S.! Look around people.

In the meantime…believers hop from Church to Church and I am so over that. I am also over folks who get all warm and snug into their Church and forget that their lost neighbor, classmate, and co-worker would go to hell tomorrow if they died. That is the truth and we need some urgency! Pick a Church that believes 100%…all of the Bible and in Christ alone, after that is settled…pick a Church that believes they are called to turn their community upside-down. Not a Church that moves from program, to program…event to event.

When you are a Church that follows Christ by connecting with those who the religious folks won’t give the time of day…people will talk. Get ready. 

I am seriously fired up with my heart pounding as I type this asking for a sense of urgency from our people. Christ said that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church…wow! Lets believe that together Tallahassee.

On another note…Youth Pastor friends: READ THIS.

I have really enjoyed preaching the Unconquered series at the Well this past month. I cannot think of a more important thing to talk about than the supremacy of Christ. We looked at Colossians 3 last night and what our response should be to the unconquered Christ.

Pastors have to preach the person and work of Christ! I was talking to one of our college ladies at the Well’s Encore Dinner last night and she told me that it took her coming to our Church to realize what a Gospel-centered ministry really looks like. She has been in Church her whole life! We are FAR from experts…but there is nothing more urgent, important, relevant, deep(for you really mature people that just need something deeper….even-though you have never met a lost person in your life…but still think you are spiritual), practical (for those of you that think the Bible needs your clever help), and Christ-honoring than centering everything you say and do around the fact that Christ came to die for sinners.

Heather Stuyverson was on the couch last night and was awesome. The couch is one of the most important things we do at our Church. For you Church leaders out there…having a time where people can share their stories of how Christ and the Church has impacted their lives is powerful and needs to happen!

Krissie and I went to Auburn over the weekend and had a great time. A football Saturday on the Plains of Alabama is an amazing atmosphere to see. We spent some quality time with Vonna Hall and saw lots of dudes wearing shorts that go to slightly above their mid-thigh. I discussed this last night.

We also went to the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery. That is simply incredible. Seriously, I will take Tommy as soon as he is old enough and it is worth your just over 3 hour drive to see it.

Big Week (as usual) in the life of the Well. The College dinner is at the Jones’ place tonight. These people know how to throw a party! Make sure you don’t miss out. Also, Community Groups are in full swing and take place throughout the week. This Sunday is Matt Long’s first Sunday as the Well’s worship leader. I am pumped! A Tallahassee guy…Matt has returned home to help reach his hometown for Christ. Don’t miss Matt’s debut this Sunday.

I thought we had a great send-off for Rachel last night. She has been amazing and we will miss her a bunch. Rach is our good buddy and we will still see her a lot. I hope she enjoys her day at the spa!

The much anticipated weekly top 5. You would be shocked how much controversy this starts every week.

1. Alabama (Mike Park, you sold your soul for this creepy coach)

2. Oklahoma

3. Mizzou

4. Texas

5. LSU

really close to making it: Penn State

Don’t get the obsession: Jimbo Fisher

3 Big 12 teams in the top 5? Can you handle that SEC people?

It is Miami-FSU week! Doesn’t really have much drama or anticipation since both teams are pretty average. We definitely got too excited over beating a terrible Texas A&M team that lost to Arkansas State and just squeaked by Army.

It has been a crazy week as I have been out of town a bunch speaking.

I am ready for Sunday to get here. The Well is going to rock this weekend. Be there at 5:30 and don’t miss out!

I truly anticipate every Sunday night. It is the highlight of my week and the atmosphere in that room continues to blow me away. This week we will be looking at Colossians chapter 3 which basically is the Christian response to our unconquered Lord and what he expects of His redeemed. Great text…just studying for this series has made Colossians my favorite book of the Bible. I just stared Exodus for my personal Bible reading today. Love me some Exodus. The story of Christ is all over the book.

Preview for this Sunday:

This is Rachel’s last week serving as our worship leader. When we needed someone to step into that position…in was a no-brainer who we were going to ask. Rach has been our interim since July and has done an amazing job. She was the one on stage when the students returned and has really been a huge part of the amazing things we have seen in the last month. As our good buddy…she will still be around, but Rach will be missed and I thank God for her.

Heather Stuyverson is on the couch this week! Does it get any cooler than a female lead guitar player? I look forward to hearing Matthew’s conversation with Heather. She has a lot to offer and I know many will be impacted by her couch time.

Matt Long takes the role as our worship leader next Sunday. Matt is a Tallahassee guy who has been gone the past 8 years living in the Rockies and then to Nashville. He is a long-time friend and the perfect person to lead the Well into the future. We sat down to what is now a famous breakfast at Cracker Barrel off I-65 in Nashville and I basically said that Tallahassee needs you buddy. He is here and I am pumped! Matt is truly going to lead our folks and his unique sound will be different than anything else in town. I love it. Welcome home Matt Long.

I have gotten 5 texts this morning saying that USC is overrated. Are you serious? Every guy on that team is practically going in the first three rounds of the draft. Did anyone see the Ohio State game?

When you play conference games on the road…throw everything out the window. Anything can happen. It doesn’t matter how bad someone looked the week before, how bad the mis-matches are, your record, etc…that is what makes college football great. USC could lose to Oregon St. and then turn around and beat Oklahoma or LSU the next week. Can someone please create a playoff system?

Heading to Auburn today. I love me some former and long-time hurricane….Tommy Tubberville. Not a fan of his team though.

Krissie and I are going to the Tennessee/Auburn game on Saturday. Random…I know. We will be hanging out with the Well’s first ever send off to college…Vonna Hall. I am not a fan of either team, but a SEC Saturday is always fun in person!

I gotta say that I am excited about American Carol. I will be there opening night!

I went to a meeting today with a bunch of Baptist Pastors. I always enjoy being around other Pastors. It is a guarantee that I will be the youngest in the room. A little weird since I am the guy who walks in with jeans and an untucked polo. I looked around and thought…I wonder what would happen in Tallahassee if every guy in this room committed himself to truly connecting with people who are far from God.

Not knocking a random strangers doors and handing them a packet.

Not stopping someone at a gas station and asking where they would go if they died tonight.

Really, truly, forming friendships and connecting with people. Establishing real relationships. A lot of guys talk about it…would love to see it.

 We are now having staff meetings on Thursday mornings at Chick-fil-a. How Christian are we?

This morning was awesome. It wasn’t that we had some kind of life-changing, church altering conversation. It is just that we love being together. Matthew Robinson, Sarah Graves, and Matt Long are my good friends. We don’t “work together,” we are living life together. Tim Stevens said at the White Board Sessions back in May that the number one thing to look for in a staff member is whether or not they play nicely in the sandbox. So true! The entire Church can know that your staff is loving doing ministry together. The sandbox is good, everyone gets the vision, and we are in a great position to impact our city as an entire Church! By the way…Matt Long starts the first Sunday in october.

My top 5 country singers (not just Nashville people) :

1. Allison Krauss: I know she is technically bluegrass…but she does country too.

2. Big Kenny from Big and Rich

3. Emmy Lou Harris

4. Willie Nelson

5. Taylor Swift: I am 12 years old…I get it

Overrated: Alabama, Kix Brooks (why is he in the group?), the dude in Sugarland who DOES NOTHING and head-bangs, Eddie Montgomery…you cannot “play” a microphone stand.

Most overrated things in college football:

1. Alabama’s helmets

2. Blackouts

3. Chief Osceola…mascots are the dudes who do back-flips, take pictures with kids, and crowd surf….not prance.