NCS New Canaan

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Don’t Be Afraid of the Crazy Things God Asks (Brian Jones – 2/7/20 – NCS New Canaan)

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Brian Jones shares, with great vulnerability, the incredible life journey he and his family have been on by listening to God’s stirring and then having the courage to take a leap of faith and say “YES”. He tells how this journey has taken him: from thinking he would go to seminary and pursue being a pastor to a highly successful career in finance; from a finance career on Wall Street to a stint as the executive director of a church in Dallas; and from having a few children to having five and then adopting a sixth–and then moving back to a Manhattan apartment (with five children still home).

Jones also shares some of the lessons he has learned along the journey, including about marriage, raising children and being a good steward of God’s gifts. He urges us, at those times when you “can’t say no” but you “could say no” to God’s stirring, to be bold and willing to take major risks. Jones explains that, in his experience, it is not about God asking for a 20-year or 10-year or 5-year plan–it is about following Him and being faithful in the next “yes”.

Stewarding Hardship: “Shut Up and Listen” (Mark Herzlich – 1/10/20 – NCS New Canaan)

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We all go through hardship–but how do we steward the “gift” of that hardship to bless other lives? After a touching introduction by Rob Brinkman (with an amazing story of how God used Mark Herzlich in Rob’s life, unbeknownst to Mark), Mark recounts with tremendous humility and transparency (and a wonderful dose of NCS humor) the journey that took him from hearing he would never play football again to winning a Super Bowl ring. Herzlich also shares how he first met his wife, and the extraordinary way she helped him realize his true manhood, which wasn’t on a football field.

Mark also explains how he and his wife made a conscious choice to use the platform God has given them–“Super Bowl Champion”–to make a difference in marriages, in how men treat women and in how people face challenges. In partnership with his wife, Mark Herzlich is stewarding well the gifts of extraordinary blessing and extraordinary hardship that God has allowed in their lives. It is a story worth hearing–so be like Job (and Mark) and “shut up and listen”. Job 40:5 (MSG).

Live to Forgive Through Empathy (Jason Romano – 11/22/19 – NCS New Canaan)

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With tremendous transparency and authenticity, Jason Romano shares the painful story of estrangement from his father. He takes us on a journey from childhood to the depths of hurt, resentment, unforgiveness and bondage, and then explains how that journey finally took a God-orchestrated turn toward forgiveness, freedom and healing. Romano also reflects on the rampant unforgiveness in our society and the damage it is doing.

In recounting the journey, Romano admits how difficult it is to truly forgive as Jesus forgives us. He vulnerably shares how for many years he responded to hurt by hurting back from a place of bitterness and anger. He finally came to understand that forgiveness is not about the other person–it is about you. But most importantly, he came to understand that the key to forgiveness is empathy–what Romano now calls “the antidote to life”. Romano shares that being able to finally have empathy for, and forgive, his father, started him on a life of forgiveness.

A Call to Virtuous Masculinity (Fr. Louis Leonelli – 11/8/19 – NCS New Canaan)

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Father Louis Leonelli starts by sharing a bit of his life story, including his radical and miraculous conversion from a successful Wall Street businessman pursuing wealth, woman and a music career to a humble Franciscan friar serving the homeless in the South Bronx.

Father Louis then examines “masculinity”–real “toxic” masculinity, the normal masculinity that our politically correct culture has deceptively labeled “toxic”, and finally, the “virtuous” masculinity we are called to pursue as followers of Jesus. In exploring virtuous masculinity, he explains and stresses the virtues of temperance, sacrifice and humility. Father Louis ends by sharing what he believes to be the three most important priorities in the pursuit of virtuous masculinity: (1) develop and nurture a relationship with God, (2) develop and nurture relationships with the small circle of people whom we love and who love us and (3) in whatever our stations or callings in life, strive to be the very best version of ourself we can be, all to the glory of God.

Add Virtue Above All (Joseph Holland – 10/25/19 – NCS New Canaan)

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Drawing from his own experiences as well as his knowledge of American history, Joseph Holland shares 3 of the 12 virtues highlighted in his upcoming book “Vigorous Virtues”. Holland explains what he calls “The Three C’s”–Courage, Compassion and Civility. Joe posits that the deterioration of public and political discourse in America reflects a loss of foundational values. He points out that 2 Peter 1:5 instructs Christians to add “virtue” to their faith before anything else.

Holland describes how Courage requires us to be “pugnacious” and “prayerful”. He then explores Compassion and urges that it come with guidance (help people grow beyond the need for the assistance) and caring. Finally, Holland discusses “Civility”, which he believes is the most important virtue in light of the diminishing civility in America. He describes Civility as a process of “letting go” of cultural and sociological baggage and “leaning in”–taking action toward reconciliation and forgiveness.

Holland’s talk is an important one for this chapter of American history.

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