Gregnettle.com is the blog of Greg Nettle, senior pastor of Rivertree Christian Church. The roar of love is a favorite description of how Greg describes God's love for all people. Greg has dedicated his life to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible in the most effective ways possible. Greg believes that the sign of a mature Christian is not how far they remove themselves from the world, but how deeply they penetrate the world with the "roar of God's love."
Currently Browsing: Random Thoughts
Posted by
Greg |
Feb 21st, 2012
The obituary of the church?
I recently attended a gathering of church leaders who come together to share best practices, encourage one another and simply seek God’s guidance for the future. The churches these guys lead have average attendances of anywhere from 1,000 to 23,000 people. God has entrusted much to this group. One of my friends at the gathering shared with me from an article he had recently read. The article was specifically... Posted by
Greg |
Feb 5th, 2012
From 25 to 100 church plants per year!
This week I’ll be heading to lovely California for a Stadia Blue Sky strategy session. I’ll be joining 20 high impact leaders who, for two days, will be wrestling with one question: ”How does Stadia move from planting 25 new churches per year to 100?” High capacity business leaders, leaders from Compassion International, megachurch leaders, new church planters, college Presidents,... Posted by
Greg |
Jan 9th, 2012
Why RiverTree partners with Stadia and Compassion
Tabitha, Greg, Inti (sponsored child) and Wess Stafford This past week was life-changing for me. I spent five days in Ecuador with 9 other Pastors from across the U.S., leaders from Compassion International (including President Wess Stafford), leaders from Stadia and my 13 year old daughter, Tabitha. Stadia and Compassion are making it possible for churches like RiverTree (Northern Ohio), The Crossing (Las... Posted by
Greg |
Dec 31st, 2011
God Through RiverTree 2011–the year in review
At the close of each year, our RiverTree staff puts together a list of highlights to share with our Elders. This year we thought it would be great to celebrate with our entire church family what God has been doing . . . This is just the tip of the iceberg. It was a challenging year of transition. Moving further down the missional path, growing in our generosity, maintaining fiscal stability in a deteriorating... Posted by
Greg |
Dec 30th, 2011
Reflecting
Once again another year comes to a close. For some it was a very good year . . . for others . . . What did we learn? How has God changed us? What would we do differently? What do we want to remember? What do we want to forget? Here are the questions I use to reflect on the year. I read through my journal to remember. I discuss my answers with close friends to learn. New Year’s Reflection... Posted by
Greg |
Dec 19th, 2011
My all-time favorite Christmas recordings
Everyone has their favorites . . . here are mine. My 12 all-time favorite Christmas recordings “The Christmas Song” by Maren Ord, from Christmas Songs. “Silent Night” by Sixpence None The Richer, from The Dawn Of Grace. “Little Town” by Over The Rhine, from Snow... Posted by
Greg |
Dec 12th, 2011
My Christmas bucket list
My friend, Tom, sent me his Christmas “bucket list” that he wrote to help him get more out of Christmas this year. I loved the idea so I put a list of my own together in hopes that we’ll all experience a more meaningful Christmas. 1. Hold a baby and think of God’s love for me. 2. Bake sugar cookies with my kids–use star cutouts–and read the story of the wise men following... Posted by
Greg |
Nov 24th, 2011
Simple Thanks-Giving
So, this Thanksgiving morning . . . here are some simple and not so simple things for which I am thankful. *That my children love and actually “like” one another. *Big mountains to climb. *RiverTree and the beautiful bride she is. *Stadia and the amazing churches that have been/are being planted. *Compassion... Posted by
Greg |
Nov 21st, 2011
Thanksgiving traditions
This past weekend in our gatherings, Alex Absalom and I shared several traditions that may help make the Thanksgiving holiday even more meaningful. Throughout the week, as I asked people if they had any Thanksgiving traditions, I received some fascinating answers: ”We do our best just to not fight on Thanksgiving,” ”We’re a young family–we don’t have any traditions... Posted by
Greg |
Nov 6th, 2011
To My Daughter On Her 13th Birthday
You are my sunshine. Always have been. Always will be. Late one night, shortly after you were born, I held you in front of our Christmas tree. I prayed, “God, please help Tabitha grow up to be a woman who is deeply in love with you.” I knew at the time what that prayer meant . . . deep love always brings great joy but is most often accompanied by great pain. Over the next several years, you will...
Greg NettleI am a diehard Cleveland Browns fan that dies hard every year. I have traveled to Peru, Ecuador, Ireland, Tanzania, England, France, Holland, South Africa, Wales, Northern Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti and Scotland. And there’s nothing I would rather do than have a cup of coffee with my wife, Julie, at our local Starbucks. I enjoy bungee jumping, whitewater rafting and skydiving. The faster the roller coaster the better. My most recent adventures have included climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and a spiritual pilgrimage to Israel. I have read more than 50 books a year for the past 20 years but my favorite is to read the Bible with my 10 year old daughter, Tabitha and newly adopted son, Elijah. I used to travel and sing with Rich Mullins and I have had breakfast with Jerry Falwell. I would rather spend an hour with Howard Stern than an hour with the Pope. I love Kraft macaroni and cheese out of a box, Ho Ho’s, filet mignon and lobster with drawn butter—jalapenos on everything..
