Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Tithing Experiment

This past weekend I talked about the investing dimension of discipleship and I challenged NCCers to do a tithing experiment for 3-6 months. Overwhelmed by the response! There were 87 tithing commitments. So excited to see the way God is going to move as NCCers take a financial step of faith.

I used to hate talking about money. But I really enjoy it now because it's not just good theory or good theology. I'm preaching out of experience. Lora and I have experienced our core value: you cannot out give God. And I genuinely want people to experience the joy and the blessing that is only possible on the giving side of life.

I think pastors are called to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. This was definitely an "afflict the comfortable" weekend. I was pretty straight-up. I wanted to remind us that one day we'll stand before the Judgment Seat of Chirst. And in the words of Matthew Henry: "It should be the business of every day to prepare for our final day."

We are called to make financial sacrifices and personal sacrifices for the sake of Christ. And when we live beyond our ability it invites God into the equation of our lives. In fact, human sacrifices set the stage for supernatural miracles! At the end of the day: we'll never regret one penny of money; one ounce of energy; or one second of time invested in the kingdom.

I have a conviction that no one has ever sacrificed anything for God. Sure, we make temporal sacrifices. But if you get back more than you gave up have you really sacrificed anything at all?

Nada!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 5:41 PM   36 comments

How did you get your copy?

It's been fun to hear stories of how people got their copy of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. Keep being reminded that God is sovereign! And I'm so grateful for the word of mouth!

Heard a few encouraging stories today.

A pastor friend, Buddy Cremeans, told me his fourteen year-old co-opted his book. I've been pleasantly suprised at the way teenagers have resonated with the book! By the way, Buddy pastors a rockin' church in New York--Northway Fellowship. Looking forward to seeing it firsthand when I speak there next August.

Another friend serves on the board of the One Campaign. He is giving away copies right and left, but he told me today that he's giving the book to Bono. Beautiful Day!

One of our over-arching prayers was for divine appointments--that the book would get into the right hands at the right time. So cool to see it happen one book at a time!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 5:41 PM   11 comments

Masters Comission

Just spent an hour with 25 students from Master's Commission. All of them read In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day so I invited them down to do a little Q & A. Really enjoyed doing a dialogue on the book!

Before they left, these kids laid hands on me and prayed some high-powered prayers! Love their passion and vision!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 3:27 PM   1 comments

Amazing Grace Screening



Just screened Amazing Grace at Ebenezers--the story of William Wilberforce and the abolition of the slave trade in England. Can't possibly put into words how this movie moved me. I held back tears seven times and felt goose bumps three times. That's my measure of a good movie!

Movies leave an impression. Here was my impression--it renewed my faith in the fact that one person can change the course of history. I think we all believed that as kids. But at some point most of us lose faith in ourselves. Or more accurately, we lose faith in God in us!

We're going to encourage every NCCer to go see the movie.

I love the Michelangelo motto: criticize by creating. I'd rather celebrate what's right than criticize what's wrong. The church needs to rally around this movie!

Check out the trailer.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 11:09 AM   7 comments

#2 Ain't Bad






It's official. Ebenezers was voted the #2 Coffeehouse by AOL CityGuide. Check it out. I was hoping we'd take top spot, but #2 ain't bad when you've been in business less than a year! And on a technicality, we're #1 in DC because Jammin' Java is in Virginia :)

Just thought I'd share a few coffeehouse thoughts.

In a sense, we have no business being in the coffeehouse business. We're not qualified. We had zero experience before jumping in. But we had a dream that was conceived and sustained by prayer! And it's amazing the way eight years of prayer can compensate for our inability or inexperience!

The driving motivation behind the coffeehouse has always been to create a third place--a place where the church and community could cross paths. Too many churches end up quarantined behind the four walls of the sanctuary.

Seems to me like Jesus hung out at wells. Wells weren't just places to draw water. They were natural gathering places in ancient culture. Coffeehouses are postmodern wells.

Going into this endeavor we knew we had to pass the starbucks litmus test. Starbucks sets the standard in the coffeehouse business. But I've always felt like the church should beat the world at their game. It's that sanctified competitive streak.

It's about more than good coffee. It's about more than a cool coffeehouse.

Ebenezers is coffee with a cause!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 6:43 AM   7 comments

Monday, January 29, 2007

Pastors Roundtable

I spent the day hanging out with Len Sweet and a group of 25 pastors from South Africa. Len shared in the AM and I shared some of our story in the afternoon. These pastors are finishing a whirlwind tour that started at Willowcreek in Chicago, went through Mars Hill and Rob Bell in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and ends in DC.

Enjoyed having lunch with Len Sweet. Always been a huge fan of his books! He's one of those guys that makes you think. Here are a few Sweetisms from today's session:

"Your baptism is your ordination into ministry."

"Ask the grandparents in your church: how many of you would lay down your life for your grandchildren? Every grandparent will raise their hand. Then ask them: how many of you would lay down your musical preferences for your grandchildren?"

"Sometimes God is more active in the world than he is in the church. Who's had more impact alleviating suffering in the world: your church or Bono?"

"When you're in incarnational mode you're always living on other people's terms."

Food for thought.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 9:15 PM   5 comments

Newest NCCer

My brother and sister-in-law, Pastor Joel and Nina Schmidgall, had their baby at 5:13 AM this morning. Eloise Kimberly Schmidgall, aka "Ella", was 8 lbs. 11 oz. and 21 3/4 inches long! Thems the vitals.

Had the joy of holding my neice for the first time around 9 AM this morning. Lots of rejoicing over the newest member of the family and the newest NCCer :)

posted by Mark Batterson @ 7:50 AM   6 comments

Sunday, January 28, 2007

What a Weekend

I think we pulled it off :)

Our coffeehouse was out of control today! I think we had 200+ in the performance space for our 11:15 @ Ebenezers plus another 50+ overflow on the main coffeehouse level. And the other service was about the same! We really tried to redirect people to Saturday night and our Ballston location, but it was jam packed.

Craziness squared.

Can I admit something? It was actually sort of fun.

Don't get me wrong. It was a headache. And I sure hope we're back to three locations next weekend. But every once in a while it's good to disrupt the routine. Keep people from going through the motions.

Awfully glad our coffeehouse is half a block from Union Station.

We lived out our core value today: expect the unexpected.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 12:54 PM   8 comments

Friday, January 26, 2007

Attention all NCCers: Union Station Flood

Just found out that the movie theaters @ Union Station flooded.
So here's the deal.

NO SERVICES @ UNION STATION on Sunday!

We're encouraging people to attend our 5:05 & 7:07 services @ Ebenezers on Saturday and our 10:30 AM @ Ballston on Sunday.

We will also move our Union Station services to Ebenezers! The service times will be 9:45 & 11:15 to give folks who come to Union Station time to walk over the Ebenezers!

We'll have nursery @ 205 F Street for both the 9:45 & 11:15 services. And we're encouraging families with kids to attend our Ballston location. It is the only service that will have Kidz Quest.

There you have.

Never a dull moment when you do church in the marketplace :)

posted by Mark Batterson @ 5:27 PM   2 comments

Home Sweet Home

Got about four hours of sleep last night so I'm a little droopy :)

Had coffee with Chris Patton, Lead Pastor of Southside Church. Really intrigued by their strategic partnership with Northpoint Church. Love the innovative approach to church!

Then I hung out with the staff from First Baptist Church.

And I tagged on a tour of Operation Mobilization headquarters with Doug Barclay.

Great to make some new friends in Atlanta!

Hopped a flight back to DC. Made it back in time to surprise the kids and pick them up from school. Definitely chillin and veggin tonight.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 4:12 PM   2 comments

What a Night

It was about six weeks ago that I got an invitation to speak in Atlanta. It was one of those invitations that I felt like I should say yes to. Awfully glad I did.

Serious props to Zeke, Greg, Doug and the whole crew from First Baptist Church in Peachtree City. We originally expected 150-200 guys from FBC. 500+ guys from lots of Atlanta area churches showed up! The crew did an amazing job promoting the event. Lots of prayer went into it. One of the guys designed mini-spears as a table setting. They laminated the lion chasing manifesto. They wrote a lion chasing song for the event. And their hospitality was off the hook.

Can't say enough good things! It was an absolute privilege to be part of what happened last night. They even cooked 560 pounds of brisket. I don't know the "technical" term, but it was the largest "outdoor cooker" I've ever seen! The smell when we pulled up to the church was indescribable! Made you feel like growling. Or something like that.

Really praying that God uses last night as a spiritual catalyst in the lives of everyone that was there! And we gave everyone a copy of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. One of the things I love about In a Pit is that it allows me to carry on the conversation with every guy for a few more hours!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 6:59 AM   6 comments

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Off to Atlanta

Just got done speaking at Washington Bible College. What a blast. Love speaking to students!

Pretty quick turn around, but I'm headed to the airport to hop a flight to Atlanta. Really excited about speaking tonight at First Baptist Church in Peachtree City. Been anticipating and praying for this particular event for quite some time!

One of those days that I could use an extra prayer or two :)

posted by Mark Batterson @ 12:42 PM   6 comments

Third Printing

Just got great news.

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is going to a third printing.

I was getting worried because I ran out of the 50 cases of books I got less than two weeks ago! Seems like the book keeps building momentum. My publisher isn't doing huge print runs, but I'm pretty excited about a third printing when the book has been in circulation less than four months!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 6:02 AM   5 comments

Cartoon Cuts and Massage Chairs

Had a relaxing day off. We took the kids to Cartoon Cuts. Not sure who came up with the idea of letting kids watch a video while they get their hair cut, but it's brilliant.

On the way out of the Mall we walked by Brookstone. We spent about twenty minutes shopping. I mean sitting in massage chairs. Does that store actually sell things? All I ever do in Brookstone is sit in their massage chairs!

The Batterson family was chillin! And to top it off, they were playing a CD called Forever 80's.

Doesn't get much better than that.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 5:37 AM   1 comments

Unleashed

Just wanted to put an event on the evotional radar. My friend, Perry Noble, is hosting a leadership conference at New Spring in Anderson, SC on March 15.

I think it's worth the trip if for no other reason than Perry is a trip :) Check out Unleashed.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 5:05 AM   1 comments

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Writing Update

Some days I hit a wall. And some days I hit a stride. I've got two chapters to go on the rough draft for right-brain leadership. Really appreciate the team of people surrounding this book with prayer!

For what it's worth, I need to be reading while I'm writing. Reading stimulates my writing just like reading stimulates my preaching. I'm reading two books right now.

I'm loving Made to Stick. This is going to be a classic like the Tipping Point. A must-read.

I'm also reading Gilead by MariLynne Robinson. I rarely read fiction. I'm too pragmatic :) But I heard Donald Miller recommend this book so I picked up a copy. One statement in the book was worth the buy:

For me, writing has always felt like praying.

Great description!

I feel like I'm praying for people when they read what I wrote!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 11:56 AM   9 comments

Catalyst Conference








It's a long way off--October 3-5, 2007--but I just got an invitation to do a Catalyst Lab. I'm speaking at more and more conferences, but this one is special because I'm a huge Catalyst fan. We take our entire staff every year! Really honored and humbled by this particular invite.

We're also timing the release my next book on right-brain leadership so it comes off the press right before Catalyst.

Can't wait for Catalyst 07!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 8:46 AM   4 comments

crazy week

This is a pretty crazy week for me.

I've got some writing deadlines. We've got to knock out our Annual Ministry Report. Brainstorming our next sermon series. I'm speaking at Washington Bible College. And I'm headed down to Atlanta to speak at a men's event at First Baptist Church in Peachtree City.

Just thought I'd process a few things out loud.

The less I have to do the more I depend on myself. That's why I think it's good to be stretched. I think it is the seasons where I'm stretched physically and spiritually that I realize just how dependent upon God I really am! The more I have to do the more I need God. Definitely one of those weeks!

Here is a simple rule of thumb: the more you have to do the more you have to pray.

Prayer keeps me in proactive mode. It keeps opportunities from becoming obligations. And it is the key to ministry by osmosis--you simply share out of the overflow of what God is doing in your life personally.

I find that I have mixed emotions whenever I am preparing to speak at a conference or preach a sermon. I have a level of anticipation. And I have a level of stress. I don't think the stress is bad--it's eustress not distress. But there are times when the stress overshadows the anticipation. And there are times when the anticipation overshadows the stress.

Prayer is the difference maker.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 6:00 AM   5 comments

Monday, January 22, 2007

Why Do Pastors Quit?

Why do pastors quit?

Been reflecting on that question since my conversation with Bo Boshers last week. Bo is the Executive Director of Student Ministries for the Willow Creek Association. He's doing a session at the Shift Conference on staying in ministry for the long-haul. Great topic for emerging leaders!

Few occupations take a toll like ministry. Ministry has unique benefits. But ministry also has unique emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. We need to identify the greatest challenges pastors face. And then we need very transparent conversations about those challenges.

Some of the challenges are obvious. How do you balance family and ministry? How do you develop healthy boundaries? How do you steer clear of temptation? How do you handle criticism? How do you be a pastor and be yourself at the same time? How do you balance personal growth and church growth?

I'm thinking about talking about some of these challenges at a few of the conferences I'm speaking at this year. I'd love to get some feedback from pastors.

What is the greatest challenge you face?
What is the greatest threat to your ministry?
What is the most difficult part of pastoring?

Feel free to post a comment or email me at mark@theaterchurch.com.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 8:56 AM   19 comments

Sunday, January 21, 2007

America's Most Innovative Churches

A few weeks ago, Outreach Magazine came out with their 25 Most Innovative Churches in America list. NCC landed on the list at #8. I shared some reactions and observations a few weeks ago if you want to check it out.

The folks at www.churchmarketingsucks.com have initiated a more grassroots campaign. You can weigh in and check out the results here.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 8:05 PM   4 comments

Gifts and Sacrifices

Hebrews 8:3 has been in my spirit lately:

Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices.

We love offering our gifts to God. Offering sacrifices is a little more difficult. But I really believe that our sacrifices is what will ultimately determine our leadership potential.

Think about Jesus. Talk about gifted. He walked on water. He healed the sick. His parables are pure genius. You'd definitely want Him on your debate team. And his emotional intelligence was off the charts. To say that Jesus was gifted is an infinite understatement.

But what do you admire most about Jesus? What are you most grateful for? What has impacted your life the most? It's not His gifts is it? It's His sacrifice on the cross!

I'm certainly not suggesting that we sacrifice family for the sake of ministry. Family is more important than ministry. But the more personal sacrifices leaders make the more of a difference we'll make in people's lives.

I had a great pastor growing up--incredibly gifted. But you know what had the most impact on me? When he visited me in the hospital in the middle of the night.

We all know pastors who are ten talent leaders--amazing gifts. But it's our visible and invisible sacrifices that will make the biggest difference!

Hope that is an encouragement to church planters who are making financial sacrifices to start a church. Hope it's an encouragement to pastors who sacrifice weekends. Hope it's an encouragement to small group leaders who sacrifice so much time and energy discipling people. Hope it's an encouragement to production volunteers who sacrifice a little shut eye on Sunday mornings.

One last thought.

I don't think any of us have ever sacrificed anything for God. If you get back more than you gave up have you really sacrificed anything at all? Sure, we make temporal sacrifices. But they can't even be compared to the eternal rewards.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 3:19 PM   2 comments

The Big Idea







A few years ago, we visited Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL before going multi-site. The team at CCC was hugely instrumental in so many ways. Our weekly Big Idea meetings were inspired by CCC. Love Dave Ferguson and the entire CCC crew!

Excited about Dave's new book--The Big Idea.

The National New Church Conference has a special offer right now. The next 100 people to register get a free copy of the book! You can register here.

If you aren't going to the National New Church Conference you can get a copy of The Big Idea @ amazon.com. For what it's worth, The Big Idea is paired with In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day as the Better Together offering--special discount when you buy them together.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 2:21 PM   3 comments

Retreat Reflections








Kicked off our leadership retreat with an amazing worship experience. Do you ever have a distinct impression during worship? My distinct impression on Friday night was: I'm ready to storm the gates of hell. We get fired up about a lot of things. We ought to get fired up about the kingdom of God. God deserves our exubberance.

Awesome to worship together. Awesome to play together. We broke our leaders into ten teams and did a relay race that involved making a human pyramid; bible trivia; and paper airplanes! I really think the best thing about the weekend is the fellowship. So great to just hang out with our leaders!

Loved the retreat metaphor: some assembly required. That metaphor got weaved into everything we did. My session was on blueprints. We had lego sets all over. And even a Mr. Potato Head video.

Serious props to Heather Zempel and our Zone Leaders who put the retreat together. And our admin crew and production crew went over the top. I really think it sends a message to our leaders: we take leadership seriously!

For me, "the moment" was having our leaders stand up based on tenure. We did our first leadership retreat five years ago at a 4H center. The seven leaders who were at that first retreat stood up. That was a memory and a moment for me. So proud of and so grateful for those leaders! Then we did two leadership retreats in Baltimore and a couple dozen leaders stood. Then all the leaders at last year's leadership retreat stood up--it was about half the group. And finally, we had everyone at this year's retreat stand up!

I did that for two reasons. To honor our pioneering leaders. But I also wanted to make a point. In keeping with the "Some Assembly Required" metaphor I reminded our leaders: "You are the foundation." The foundation of NCC isn't our philosophy of ministry. It's not our creativity. It's not even our values and convictions. It's our leaders. Our leaders are the foundation.

I honestly believe that we'll keep growing as long as we have enough small groups to accomodate our growth. And the key to more groups is more leaders. So the quantity and quality of our leadership determines our potential as a church.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 8:17 AM   0 comments

Love the Lord Your God with all of Your Strength

Every once in a while I have what I call a "love the Lord your God with all of your strength" kind of day! For example, spending a day building a mud hut in Ethiopia. That was definitely a "love the Lord your God with all of your strength" day!

Yesterday was a long day. I played basketball till 12:45 AM at the retreat on Friday which didn't help :) Did an AM session at our leadership retreat. Drove back to DC to preach our 5:05 @ Ebenezers. After the service I did an interview with a freelance reporter who is doing a story on our coffeehouse for Relevant magazine. Then I coached our 8 PM basketball game. By the way, we ran into a juggernaut. Close game but we took one on the chin!

My body and voice were pretty tired by day's end. But what a day! I actually feel a sense of spiritual satisfaction when I push myself to my physical limits for God. It feels like I've loved God with all of my strength!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 7:56 AM   1 comments

Friday, January 19, 2007

Carpe Culture

I just got off a conference call with Bo Boshers and Darren Whitehead from Willowcreek. They are gearing up for their Shift Conference next month.

It's amazing the way you can detect another person's personality and character via sound waves isn't it? We've never met personally, but really appreciate the heart and vision they have for the kingdom!

Ironically, I've never been a youth pastor. So I feel totally unqualified to speak about student ministries. But we were talking about cultural shifts. Just thought I'd share some random observations.

In his book, The Post-Capitalist Society, Peter Drucker says: "Every few hundred years in Western history there occurs a sharp transformation. Within a few short decades, society rearranges itself. Fifty years later, there is a new world. And the people born then cannot even imagine the world in which their grandparents lived and into which their parents were born. We are currently living through just such a transition."

The tectonic plates of culture are shifting.

In a sense, everything has changed. The way we gather information has changed--the Google effect. The way we listen to music has changed--the iTunes effect. They way we get a date has changed--the eharmony effect. The way we shop has changed--the amazon effect. The way we make friends has changed--the myspace effect. The way we entertain ourselves has changed--the YouTube effect.

And that's the tip of the cultural iceberg!

Here are some off the cuff thoughts on cultural shifts. These aren't prescriptive. They are descriptive. Some are good. Some not so good.

1) Incarnation is more important than Explanation
2) Authenticity is more important than Perfection
3) Context is more important than Text
4) Paradoxy is more important than Orthodoxy
5) Experience is more important than Expertise

I think those five cultural realities shape the way we lead. Leaders need to be: incarnational, authentic, contextual, paradoxical, and experiential.

Here are a few more macro-observations:

The church is subject to what I'd call Creative Inflation. We're surrounded by a rising tide of creativity in the retail world. And it's upping the creative ante! I really believe that the future belongs to right-brain leaders who do ministry out of imagination. There are ways of doing church that no one has thought of yet. The church needs to celebrate innovators who lead the way.

I think our society-at-large suffers from Attention Defictit Disorder. It is harder to grab attention. And it is harder to keep attention. Studies have shown that emerging generations have shorter attention spans. There minds are like a remote control--if something doesn't demand attention they simply change channels.

The good news is this: our generation has an unprecedented opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission. But we've got to redeem technology and use it for God's purposes! Maybe iTunes, MySpace, and YouTube need to be seen as evangelistic distribution channels?

Carpe culture!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 1:28 PM   4 comments

Zero Risk. Infinite Reward.

I just finished writing a thank you letter to accompany our 2006 giving statements. And I shared a thought I'd never had before.

Our kingdom investments are the safest investments we can make! Check out Matthew 6:20. Talk about a safety deposit box! But our kingdom investments also have the highest yield. They earn compound interest forever! Pretty amazing isn't it? Zero risk. Infinite reward. What a deal.

What a privilege to be shareholders in the Kingdom of God.
No greater return on investment (ROI).

posted by Mark Batterson @ 8:07 AM   1 comments

Threads





This month Lifeway is releasing a new line of small group resources for the 18-34 age range called Threads. Great stuff. You can check out some of the small group trailers on YouTube.

I talked with Threads Director Jim Johnson yesterday. Looks like we're going to turn In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day into a small group resource that will be released via Threads and Lifeway. It'll be both a DVD curriculum that we'll film this spring and a print guide.

Small Groups are the way we do discipleship at NCC. And we're all about reaching emerging generations. Seems like Threads is a perfection combination of those two passions.

I feel like this is one of those one small step/one giant leap deals. Not only will it get In a Pit more of a presence in 130 Lifeway stores. It will get great exposure in their network of 68,000 churches. And I think the small group resource will really take it over the top and help people chase the lion!

The tentative target date for releasing the small group resource is September 07. I'll keep you posted.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 6:32 AM   2 comments

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day



Just thought I'd post a book update.

Amazon.com just got restocked. If you're looking for individual copies, Amazon is probably the best bet.

If you want to bulk order a case (20 books) shoot me an email @ mark@theaterchurch.com. I had fifty cases last Friday. Down to thirteen cases a week later. Very cool to see so many churches doing chase the lion sermon series and small groups.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 5:59 AM   3 comments

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Amazing Grace Screening

My friend Erik Lokkesmoe just hooked us up :)

We're going to host a pastors-only screening of Amazing Grace @ Ebenezers Coffeehouse. Show time is 9 AM on January 30. We have limited capacity so you need to RSVP to rsvp@amazinggracemovie.com.

I think churches really need to rally around this film! Hope some of you can make it.

Check out the trailer.















posted by Mark Batterson @ 10:27 PM   4 comments

Cow Farts in Class

Can't resist sharing this. Made me laugh so hard this morning. My friend Tom Rees is teaching a class at Valley Forge Christian College. One of the assignments is for students to create a blog! Love that assignment by the way! So one of the students asked for an example of a good blog and Tom was kind enough to reference www.evotional.com.

So Tom pulled it up in class and in Tom's words: "Much to the classes surprise was your deep theological post on cow farts." Way too funny! Been laughing about that all day!

Just thought I'd give a shout out to Tom's class!

FYI--I'm speaking at VFCC on March 13. Probably won't talk about cow farts. Then again.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 10:34 AM   2 comments

self-imposed limits

Just wanted to keep processing my New Years Resolutions. One of my resolutions was not checking work-related emails on my day off. I'm 3 for 3 in 07.

Can't even put into words how important it's been for me to have that work boundary in place. I just feel like I've been able to be at home when I'm at home. Those of us who are occupationally-driven face a danger: work becomes home and home becomes work. This self-imposed limit is keeping me calibrated.

Another self-imposed limit in 07 is 30 nights on the road speaking at conferences. I think I was on the road about 45 nights last year and I felt like it was too much for our life stage as a family. It's takes a toll. This is a tough one because I really want to accept every invitation to speak. And I feel bad saying "no." But I feel like this self-imposed limit will keep things in balance.

Part of the reason I'm being so intentional about these boundaries is that I feel like I've really failed in this area over the past year. But I feel like I'm turning a corner with a few of these self-imposed limits.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 6:30 AM   6 comments

the evolution of technology

So Summer asked me a question today: "Did you have iPods when you were a kid, Dad?" I educated my daughter about an ancient device called the walkman. Got me thinking about the evolution of technology.

There is an old Chinese Proverb: may you live in interesting times. Can't imagine a more interesting time to be alive can you?

I think the cell phone is a microcosm.

Remember when cell phones that were just phones?

I was reading a Fast Company article about some of the latest evolutions in cell phones. Phones are becoming entertainment centers with full-length feature films available via mSpot. The iPhone doubles as a juke box. Phones function as remote controls. Give it a few years and phones will be garage door openers and thermostat adjusters. They will function as e-wallets and roaming alarm systems.

And you gotta love this: a new phone from Japan's NTT DoCoMo alerts women who are trying to get pregnant when they are ovulating.

Are you kidding me?

For what it's worth, I'm a Treo guy. But if someone got me an iPhone I would feel compelled to switch over :) It would be rude not to!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 5:56 AM   3 comments

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

a church of a thousand prophets

Just thought I'd share something I'm going to share this weekend. We continue our Journey series. We've talked about two dimensions of discipleship: seeking and learning. This weekend I'm talking about influencing.

I've got something in my spirit that I can't get out. Instead of a church of a thousand people...imagine a church of a thousand prophets.

I'm not talking about everyone running around predicting the future. I mean it in the sense of I Corinthians 14--everyone comforting, strengthening, and encouraging! But doing so with supernatural insight and foresight.

Most of us don't think of ourselves as prophets. Hi, my name is Mark. I'm a prophet.

But I wonder if we need to reconsider in light of Numbers 11:29:

I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets.

Jewish philosophers did not believe the prophetic gift was reserved for a select few individuals. They believed that becoming prophetic was the crowning point of mental and spiritual development. The more you grow the more prophetic you become.

I really feel like God has called NCC to turn DC upside-down. But it'll never happen if we're just a church of a thousand people. But if we're a church of a thousand prophets it's another story!

Imagine the impact if every NCCer understood their prophetic calling. Imagine the impact if every NCCer saw themselves as a prophet in their workplace and a prophet at home.

A church of a thousand prophets.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 11:53 PM   9 comments

Q












Just wanted to put an event on the evotional radar. Q is the latest event designed by the catalyst braintrust. Definitely think it'll help us get better grades in cultural exegesis.

Here's the 411:

Q is an intentional boutique event with a new format for exploring the issues surrounding the future of the church in American culture. This gathering is meant to inform and expose church leaders to future-culture.

Participants will hear from over twenty presenters on a myriad of topics meant to raise your awareness and capacity to consider the church's role in shaping culture. Topics will center around the future, the culture, the Gospel and the church.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 10:05 PM   2 comments

Relevant Network Kit




Just got our Relevant Network Kit. Look forward to it every quarter! It's filled with books, CDs, and the latest issue of Relevant Leader. Great resource for leaders who work with young adults.

This quarter's kit included a copy of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. Pretty stoked about getting 850 copies into the hands of emerging leaders.

If you don't subscribe to the Relevant Leader Network I think it's worth it. Here's a link.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 3:20 PM   0 comments

Cow Farts

You know I like random animal facts right? Don't know why, but I've always been fascinated by the fact that African elephants poop eighty pounds per day. Really makes you appreciate cage cleaners doesn't it?

What I'm about to reveal ranks right up! Thanks to the NCCers who know me well enough to know that I'd care about cow emissions.

Here's the entire article if you want to check it out.

According to a United Nations Report, cow "emissions" are the greatest threat to the environment.

The 400-page report by the Food and Agricultural Organization, Livestock's Long Shadow, says that the world's 1.5 billion cattle are responsible for 18 per cent of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. That is more than cars, planes and all other forms of transport put together.

Cow farts account for 9% of all carbon dioxide emissions. Their "wind" and manure account for more than 33% of methane. And their farts produce 100 other polluting gases including ammonia, one of the major causes of acid rain.

One more random cow fact: a cow drinks 990 litres of water to produce one litre of milk!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 10:27 AM   13 comments

Monday, January 15, 2007

podcast interview

I did a podcast interview for the National New Church Conference that just got posted. I think it's worth the listen. Here's a link.

FYI--I'm tag-teaming with my friend, Brad Abare, from www.churchmarketingsucks.com to do a pre-conference seminar on creative communication. You can register here.

In case it matters, the conference is in Orlando, FL :)

posted by Mark Batterson @ 10:39 PM   0 comments

Ebenezers

As requested, here are a few pictures of Ebenezers--an aerial shot; a shot of our performance space on the lower level; and a shot of the coffeehouse level.



posted by Mark Batterson @ 9:56 PM   5 comments

MLK Day

Just thought I'd post my favorite Martin Luther King Jr. quote in honor of MLK day:

If a man is called to be a street sweeper he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, "There lived a great street sweeper who did his job well."

posted by Mark Batterson @ 5:00 PM   3 comments

one year ago today

It was one year ago today that we had a prayer meeting at Ebenezers. Check out this picture! We've come a long way in one year :)

posted by Mark Batterson @ 10:34 AM   9 comments

Sunday, January 14, 2007

book prayers

A prayer team of NCCers rallied around In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day when I was writing it. They're rallying around my right-brain leadership book as well. Can't even put into words how I grateful I am. I honestly attitribute the impact of In a Pit to their prayers!

Just thought I'd share an excerpt from one of the email prayers. This is more for me more than it is for you. I want to remember these prayers so I can give God all of the credit when He answers them!

Lord, we thank you for the leadership lessons that you have given Pastor Mark: the ups and downs, the good press and bad press, the risks, the experiments, and the random acts of circumstances that have your divine name on them that will be the foundation for the leadership lessons in this book.

Father we thank you for every leader that you placed in Mark's life--from parents and in-laws, to teachers, coaches, professors, mentors, church members, pastors, and divinely appointed acquaintances. We thank you for all that you have taught PM over the years, and Lord, we ask you to take all that--all the past experiences--and birth a future generation of leaders for you from what you have done in Mark's life.

This prayer jogged a memory. I hesitate sharing this, but I typically error on the side of transparency. When I was in seminary I heard a voice--what I call the inaudible yet unmistakable voice of God. It was so distinct--spirit to spirit. I felt like God said: I've called you to be a voice to your generation.

I still don't know exactly what that means. But that is something that has been in my spirit my entire ministry. I feel like this next book is a partial fulfilment that calling.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 8:38 AM   1 comments

Saturday, January 13, 2007

mens events

Really getting excited about speaking in Atlanta on January 25. Amazed at the team on the ground that is planning and promoting the event. I feel like I have the easy part. I just show up and speak :)

If you live in the Atlanta area, I'd love to have you come and connect. You can register @ lionchaser.net.

In the last week I've gotten four invitations to speak at men's conferences or men's retreats. I feel like the chase the lion message has universal appeal, but it seems like God might want to use it to rally men in a unique way. I also feel like I'm learning some things as a husband and a father that will really translate in these events.

I don't feel like I have a "Promise Keeper" annointing or calling. But I love speaking to men. One of my 06 speaking highlights was speaking to 1500 guys at the Honorbound Conference in Baltimore.

Also cool to hear about lots of men's groups reading through In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 10:50 PM   5 comments

First Win

We got our first win of the season! Sweet victory. Parker hit two shots including a shot with about five seconds left to seal the victory!

I was so thrilled for him. I cheer twice for him because he's my player and my son! It was one of those rare moments you couldn't script much better! A nice little ten foot jumper on the baseline. Huge confidence booster!

Definitely in the zone when I'm coaching. It's hard for pastors to take their minds off their churches. I need outlets where I'm not a pastor.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 10:40 PM   2 comments

Friday, January 12, 2007

Week of Prayer

We ended our week of prayer with a prayer meeting over lunch.

Really loved the advice Pastor Joel gave. He told us to write down words that the Holy Spirit impressed on our hearts. What a cool way to pray. Really interesting to track the words God impressed on my spirit for NCC this next year. A few of them include: hunger, authenticity, acceptance, laughter, multiplication, love, vision, passion, and unity.

I ended the week of prayer with this prayer:

God, I pray that we would remember what we've asked for so that we give You the credit when our prayers are answered.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 5:27 PM   2 comments

Bad News Good News

I was frustrated this morning because amazon.com ran out of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. I'm sure we'll get them restocked but they are saying 3-6 weeks to ship right now. I've also gotten emails from a variety of people who can't seem to get copies from their book distributors.

I'm fine with people not getting the book because they don't want the book :) But I hate the fact that some people who want the book haven't been able to get the book!

That's the bad news. Here's the good news.

We just got fifty cases of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day delivered on our doorstep!

If you want to bulk order email me at mark@theaterchurch.com.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 1:17 PM   5 comments

Some Assembly Required









We're gearing up for our annual leadership retreat next weekend. I really think it sets the tone for the next year. We'll get away with about 150+ small group and ministry leaders and cast vision and strategize ministry and play games and commission leaders.

By the way, it's all-expenses paid. And I feel like it's one of the best investments we make in our leaders!

One of the things I love about this event is that it happens without my creative input. Props to our our Pastor of Discipleship, Heather Zempel, and her team of zone leaders. They do an amazing job theming the event.

The 07 theme is some assembly required. I won't ruin it by revealing too much, but lots of surprises up our sleeves!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 10:57 AM   6 comments

the blogging church













Just did an audio endorsement for the blogging church.

Brian Bailey and Terry Storch are blogging pioneers. Really appreciate their encouragement and inspiration in my personal blogging journey! Just read my advance copy of the blogging church and I loved it. Great combination of practical and inspirational. Highly recommend it for beginning bloggers and blogging veterans!

You can pre-order a copy here.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 9:53 AM   2 comments

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Vision vs. Provision

Just got an email from a pastor friend. He is experiencing a little vision opposition.

Pretty tough to sit across the table from your top two giving families and tell them "maybe this isn't the church for you."

I emailed him back:

Wow! Tougher than tough! Proud of you. Provision always follows vision. If I had to choose between vision and provision, I'll choose vision every time because provision is dependent upon vision not vice versa :)

One of the primary pastoral roles is protector of the vision. I'm a pretty laid back person, but if you want to get me riled up just mess with my kids or mess with our vision. That protective instinct rises up within me. Vision is such a sacred thing.

There are moments where you have to go to the mat for your vision. Those are the defining moments of our lives.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 11:46 AM   13 comments

Death by Meeting

I've never been a meeting person per se. Really like Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni. I like the title better than the book.
But I like both.

One of the seven dimensions of right-brain leadership that I'm writing about write now (intentional misspelling) is disrupting the routine. When the routine becomes routine, right-brain leaders change the routine. That's what we're doing with team meetings.

Toward the end of 06, I felt like we were spinning our wheels in our weekly team meetings. So we've moved to a monthly team meeting where we'll focus more on vision and calendar. I feel like our weekly meetings had become more reactive than proactive.

Having said that let me say this. I only moved our all-staff meeting to a monthly meeting because of our weekly Big Idea Meeting where our creative team plans out each weekend. Big Idea is the creative engine where we brainstorm series and the weekly touch point where we nail down things like run sheets, announcements, and creative elements.

I don't think this post is as prescriptive as it is descriptive. Every church needs to find its own rhythm and routine. But here are five meeting ideas:

#1 Start Every Meeting by Sharing Wins!

This puts you in a positive frame of mind. Don't under celebrate what God is doing!

#2 Do an occasional Offsite Meeting

Change of Pace + Change of Place = Change of Perspective

#3 Don't talk corporately about what can be handled individually!

If you talk about something that not everybody needs to know about you're wasting their time. And the larger your staff the more time you're wasting!

#4 Cut Your Agenda in Half

The more you talk about the less you accomplish!

#5 Make sure everything you talk about lands on a to-do list

Make sure someone is responsible for everything you talk about or it'll end up on the next meeting agenda and cause twice the frustration!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 9:21 AM   4 comments

Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Incredibles

Just thought I'd share a random sermon series idea.

I'm not even sure we're going to do this series, but sometimes we go off on these creative tangents during our Big Idea Meeting. This week was no exception. I'm fascinated by the genesis of ideas. You never know where you're going to get a sermon series idea.

Here's the etymology of this idea.

I was complimenting one of our staff members during Big Idea for being androgynous--exhibiting male and female characteristics. I meant it as a compliment--in the emotionally ambidextrous sense. Not the gender confusion sense. If you know me, you know that I don't like normality. That includes words. I don't like normal words. They're boring. I like abnormal words. They make you think about what you're saying and hearing! And I like using those abnormal words in abnormal ways. Anywho. Androgeny sort of became the word of the day.

Then during the meeting I pretended to deflect bullets ala Wonder Woman. See, I'm androgynous too! Then one of our pastors randomly said, "There were wonder women in the Bible." That became our quote of the day. And it got us thinking!

Enough etymology. Here is the idea.

A sermon series on gender. I think it could cut those some of the cultural stereotypes and be a celebration of masculinity and femininity. There are so many misperceptions about what it means to be a man of God or a woman of God. Some of them our propagated by our culture. And I hate to say, but some of them are propagated by the church. This series would cut through the confusion and redefine the role of men and women in biblical terms.

It'd be a three-part series that plays off the superhero metaphor.

Superman: what it means to be a man of God
Wonder Woman: what a woman of God looks like
Mr & Mrs Incredible: how both sexes can win the battle of the sexes

I have a hunch that this is one those biblical topics we don't talk about enough.

posted by Mark Batterson @ 8:11 AM   10 comments

Day Off

Had a great day off. I take Wednesdays off because my kids have a half-day of school. I've kept one of my New Years Resolutions two weeks in a row! I didn't check email yesterday. I really feel like staying offline is helping me check out.

Went to the Air & Space museum with the kids yesterday.

Did you know that the light from each star is as unique as your fingerprint. A-mazing! I've always been fascinated by the physics of light. I have books on spectroscopy. But I didn't know that the light from each star has a unique chemical fingerprint. Don't know why, but that is so cool to me. What a testament to the omni-creativity of God.

By the way, I also learned from Lora who learned from someone else that people with blue eyes are more sensitive to light. How did I not know this?

posted by Mark Batterson @ 7:54 AM   0 comments

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Comments

A few months ago I was having some spam issues with evotional.com so I limited comments to registered users. Had some requests to open it back up to everyone. Your wish is my command.

Love the dialogue!

posted by Mark Batterson @ 10:21 PM   2 comments

NCC en Espanol

We had a brainstorming meeting today for our NCC en Espanol launch. We'll start dry run services @ our Ballston location on 02.04. Then we'll go public on 03.04.

Pretty huge undertaking. We're adding a second language to everything we do--bulletin, worship slides, marketing, signage, and website. Love the spanish version of theaterchurch.com. It's not live yet, but our domain name will be cineiglesia.com.

We're also getting some Yo Hablo Espanol shirts printed.

Love launching new services and new l