Kingdom Musings

A Season of Determination

2007-12-25T14:37:00.000-06:00

This is the title of my final message of 2007. As we head into 2008, I believe there must be a determination to leave some things behind, while we press to possess any lacking characteristics of the Christ in our lives. In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul has determined to literally forget those things he's made up his mind to leave behind as he reaches for those things that are before him. In this there are declaration, determination and expectation.

Why not make this your season of determination. While challenges and obstacles may come to move you away from your declarations, know that you will succeed with the help of the Lord. What are you determined to possess in this season? While not share them with us and let us pray with you.

Merry Christmas and a blessed 2008.

The Biblical Church

2007-11-12T18:55:00.000-06:00

WOW! is all I have to say about the meeting held this past weekend at the Harrison Street Baptist Church in Paducah, Kentucky. Pastor James Hudson is passionate about ministry and it shows in every way. We were there to help strengthen the leadership of this vibrant faith community during their first annual Leadership Conference.

While there I spoke on the siginificance of being the biblical church. A church that was purchased by the blood of Jesus should be treated with care.

Those assembled were encouragedto take a good look at what we do in the name of "the church" and make adjustments in order to come in allignment with God's mission. The church of the bible has been established in th earth to affect change. According to the words of Christ we are salt and light, which are agents of influence. Our focus during this meeting was to build on the proper a foundation in order to achieve success that would bring Glory to God.

Harrison Street is a church with great passion. A sweet blend of the new and the old was evident in every aspect of this church. And excellence is woven into its very fiber. Wonderful things are ahead for this church and I am excited to play a small part in what they are building.

Travel Savings

2007-09-28T18:47:00.000-05:00

You know, I hate to sound like a spokesperson for the travel industry, but some things are just worth sharing. While preparing to "Practice Rest" I followed my own advice from chapter one of my new book Leadership Essentials. I was booked at a hotel at a rate of a bit over $100. I went on-line days before my trip and bingo! The rate had dropped to $70. The reservationist I called immediately made the asjustment. I saved enough for a very good dinner on the spot. Download chapter one of my book FREE at nolanmccants.com
The key: When hotels have fewer guests they lower rates to attract business. By planning right you can capitalize in this industry practice. In major markets the idea is to dodge high convention season and peak vacation periods. This is when the hotels really make their money on the high demand.

Akwanga Nigeria Photos

2007-09-20T14:53:00.000-05:00

Take a look at my slide show from my recent missions trip to Akwanga, Nigeria. Click Here. This is an awesome collection of hi-rez photos. Be patient, it may take just a few seconds to load.

Akwanga Mission

2007-09-07T17:03:00.000-05:00

My travels have recently taken me back to Nigeria. It was the close of August flowing into September and the rainy season in the middle belt of Nigeria. We gathered in the town of Akwanga, about an hour and a half drive outside of the capital city of Abuja for a Frontline Leader’s Conference. The event is one of nearly one hundred like it sponsored by Dallas based Global Advance around the world. The local hosting organization was CAPRO. The rains were sporadic but sometimes torrential. At one time during the daily sessions it rained so hard that while my friend and the lead on this missions trip, Jerry McQuay was teaching, you could barely hear him over the rains beating on the tin roof of our gathering place.

Pastor Nolan McCants before record crowd with Interpreter Very Rev. Gagara G. Mallunche

This meeting would prove to be historic as some 1200 pastor and leaders from throughout the region came for the three day conference. Only 800 had pre-registered, but the word had rapidly spread and daily the number increased, eventually peaking at this unanticipated number. The hunger was apparent as many came not knowing how they would even get back to their own village. Some slept in cars and some under the stars, risking safety to become strengthened through the scriptures. The word eventually reached local government officials, who once they got wind, began showing up unannounced to express their own amazement at what was transpiring and to offer their support of this and any future events such as this one. This was truly a victory for the Kingdom of God.

After this meeting I went on to Abuja where I preached at Dominion Chapel. Bishop John Praise (you’ve got to love that name) greeted me, opening his pulpit and his home to me. I shared on Trans-generational Vision, expressing the need to consider the enormity of a God-given vision and being intentional about laying proper foundations for the generations to come.

Stay tuned for Photo Slide show...coming soon!

Global Advancement

2007-08-18T17:20:00.000-05:00

My dear friend, Apostle Daryl O’Neil has been globe trotting for years now. Over lunch and during our times of fellowship, he has often shared share with me his travels over the years. My response has always been, give me America. But something happened to me in 2002 when I met Bishop Peter Makanto from Nigeria. He extended an invite to come to his home, Yola, Nigeria and speak at his conference. I couldn’t believe my mouth was moving and the word yes was being formed on my lips. Months later I took a team from my church to northern Nigeria, a place I’ve since discovered, isn’t visited very often by American missionaries.

In the last few months international doors of opportunity have opened at an accelerated pace. From India to Africa I’ve gotten feedback from my book Leadership Essentials. Rev. Matthew Okpebholo, from Church of God Mission International in southern Nigeria, recently taught powerfully at our church. He later extended the invite to come minister at his church. Plans are in the making to go in the first quarter of 2008. Recently I was introduced to Global Advance by my friend Pastor Jerry McQuay of Christian Life Center in Tinley Park, Illinois. Gloria and I attended the organization’s Ambassador’s Fellowship this week with Pastor Jerry and his wife Chris, in Dallas Texas. This organization has an impressive record of having trained over 350,000 frontline leaders in 72 countries over the years.

(l-R) David Shibley, Global Advance Founder, Pastor Jerry and Chris McQuay, Naomi Shibley, Gloria and Nolan McCants

Pastor McQuay and I will travel to Abuja, Nigeria together this month for Global Advance to share with some 1000 leaders. I covet your prayer as God continues to open doors, expanding our global influence and giving us opportunity to take the message of His Kingdom to the nations.

On The Road Again

2007-06-19T21:07:00.001-05:00

As with my first project, Mobilization of the Church, my latest project, Leadership Essentials is taking me on the road again. This week I will be in St. Louis at the National Baptist Congress of Education convention. I'll be book signing at the Gospel Rack Booth #630. If you're there, please drop by and say hello. My calendar is quickly filling up through the fall with leadership workshops and opportunities to share on the Kingdom of God. This August I'll be returning to Abuja, Nigeria with Global Advance, an incredible missions organization out of Dallas, Texas that equips front line leaders worldwide. I covet your prayers in this season of great expanse.

Haven't heard from you yet! Why not enter your coments beneath one my posts or take a look at comments from others in this growing community.

Finding Time to Write

2007-06-09T08:23:00.000-05:00

The one question that I am constantly asked by other Pastors is, when do I find the time to write. The simple answer is, it's never easy. For me it's primarily by inspiration. When it hits me I try to respond. Of course the most opportune time is while traveling. Air travel, particularly overseas, provides optimal time with fewer distractions. One of my favorite destinations, as you know, is California. From Chicago that gives me four hours in the air both ways, which is enough time to put a good dent into a chapter. At the hotel in Mill Valley I have a view of the San Francisco Bay. The room is bright and I've found that to be helpful in stirring my creative juices.

But then there are other, less convenient times. I have two teen daughters and my wife. That's three women and me, which means, prep times often mean delays in leaving for functions. I've stolen several of those moments, defusing the brewing frustration and used them to write. And then there are writing trips. These are times that I take, most often days at a time, to steal away at a hotel or resort and just write. One of my regular destinations is the Omni Hotel in Indianapolis. I go there for several reasons. One, my dear friend Pastor Steven Thompson is there and we always look for reasons to hang out and eat. I really hate admitting the eating part. The trip is about a three hours drive from my house, which is just below my drive-time-limit. The drive gives me just enough time to unwind. I love the staff at the Omni Indianapolis, they always take care of me. The hotel is an vintage hotel with lots of character. But it's not creepy like some older hotels can be. It has a variety of room layouts, from the normal hotel box, to two level suites with balconies and is loaded with amenities. Its directly connected to the Circle Centre Mall downtown Indy via the Skywalk and is walking distance from lots of attractions.

Here is a list of places where Leadership Essentials was written that I had thought to include in the book but didn't. Hope this inspires you to write.

Starbucks 75th Street, Naperville, Illinois
Starbucks Route 59 at 127th, Plainfield, Illinois
To and From Los Angeles on United Airlines
My Basement, Bedroom and Library
America West Flight 450 to Phoenix
The Abbey, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Omni Hotel, Indianapolis, Indiana
Marriott Renaissance, Chicago

Welcome!

2007-06-04T19:55:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my new blog. It's my intent to create a community surrounding discussions about the Kingdom of God and my new book "Leadership Essentials". I nvite you to stop by often and offer a post and please do tell your friends about it.

Leadership Essentials, just released in May, is already gaining significant momentum because of the manner in which the subject of leadership has been approached.

Don't have a copy yet? Download chapter 1 FREE at www.nolanmccants.com Then post your comments.

What are your favorite chapters? And, in what ways have they spoken to you?

I'm so looking forward to the on-going dialog...see you soon!