A Case of Books
Just got another book delivery--five hundred pounds of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. If you'd like to buy a discounted case (24 copies), email resources@theaterchurch.com.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
I love Brett Favre
I'm a complex football animal.
The Redskins are my adopted team. But I was born in Minneapolis so I loved the Vikings as a little kid. Then we moved to Wisconsin and I became a die hard cheesehead. I cried when the Packers lost which was frequently! I know you aren't supposed to like three teams. Especially three teams in the same conference. But what can I say? I'm a schizophrenic football fan.
When I lived in Wisconsin we had a little mantra: the pack is back. We said it every year and every year it was a lie. Those were dark days on the frozen tundra. But I've got to admit that the packers have totally taken me by surprise this year. And what a game last night. Anybody see Favre's touchdown toss in OT? Everybody else in our house was sleeping so I had a silent celebration. I was going nuts, screaming inside, jumping up and down quietly. It was like Mark on mute! The adrenaline was pumping so much that I couldn't fall asleep for another hour.
Yes, I am wearing my Favre jersey today.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Turning Attenders into Inviters
One of our primary goals at NCC is turning attenders into inviters.
I went into church planting with a driving desire: help create a church that people felt comfortable and confident inviting their unchurched friends to! And I think we're getting there. Last year, 80% of NCCers invited 5+ friends. I honestly feel like people who aren't inviting friends aren't using NCC the way it was designed to be used.
We're always trying to remind NCCers that church is a tag-team sport.When an NCCer walks into church they tag our worship team, creative team, and teaching team and say "go for it." And we do our level best to create an experience every weekend where people can connect with God and grow in faith. When NCCers walk out, we tag them and say "now you go for it." They have a unique network of friends they can invite to church! Then they come back and tag us and say "go for it."
One of the things we use to remind NCCers that church is a tag-team sport is invite cards. We try to produce them for most of our series. Here is the front of the invite card for series that kicks off next weekend, God at the Movies.
Weeekend Reflections
I felt like it was a great weekend. I preached a very back to basics message on the word go. Every once in a while it's important to remind ourselves of our mission! And the larger and older you get the more frequently you need to cast vision. Add in our annual turn-over rate that is between 40-50% and casting vision is critical. So I wanted to remind us of why we're launching our fourth location in Georgetown next weekend. It's because 2000 years ago Jesus said, "Go." And nothing has changed.
One of my other reflections is this: preaching both Saturday night services is knocking me out. When I preach once on Saturday night I feel like it's a warm up. But preaching twice leaves me a little tired going into Sunday. I decided to go live for our second Saturday service for a few reasons: 1) to try to grow that service, 2) So we could experiment with live Q & A, and 3) because live is a better fit with the coffeehouse environment.
So I feel like we're in a catch 22. I'm not sure it's sustainable long-term. But I feel like two live services is the best fit for Ebenezers. Nothing like leading when you're not sure where to go! I've come to the conclusion that multi-site is complicated!
Having said that let me say this: I love the craziness! I wouldn't want it any other way. But we definitely need to figure out how to do multi-site over the long-term in a way that is sustainable because we'll only have more services in more locations.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Creative Margin
One of the great challenges I'm facing these days is creative margin. I used to read about 150 books per year. But the more I'm writing the less I'm reading. And I've felt a little intellectually stagnant the last few months. I'm still reading, but not with the same level of consistency, variety, or quantity. So yesterday I spent the entire afternoon at a Barnes and Noble. It was so refreshing. I scanned the bookshelves. I sipped a toasted marshmallow latte. And I spent the afternoon reading Starbucked and How Life Imitates Chess.
I think one key to creativity is cross-pollinating. You have to read across disciplines to get new ideas. That I why I love reading everything from neurology to business to physics. It keeps me from becoming a closed-system.
In my experience, an afternoon at the bookstore is the cure for the creative cold.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Radio Interview
Just in case you want to tune in, I have a radio interview with Don Kroah on WAVA at 6:15 PM. We'll talk about In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and our Georgetown launch. I was hoping to make it into the studio and take Parker, but the traffic was crazy! Couldn't make it across town.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Journal for your Kids
Just thought I'd share a parenting idea.
One of the things I'm doing this year as I disciple Parker is keeping a journal for my son. I feel like one of my roles as a dad is biographer. And I want to be a student of my kids. So I journal thoughts, ideas, and prayers for them. Helps me keep track of the things I'm learning about my kids!
Evolve Conference
Just wanted to put a church planting conference on the radar. Shawn Lovejoy and David Putnam at churchplanters.com have put together a great conference called Evolve on February 18-19, 2008. I'm doing one of the main sessions and I'm also doing a breakout on multi-site which will be fun.
I love the themes of the main sessions: The Resilient Leader; The Spiritual Leader; The Secure Leader; The Courageous Leader; and The Healthy Leader.
Check it out.
Institutionalized Eldership
I had an early morning meeting with Dick Foth today. Dick is a former pastor and college president and he has been my mentor since we moved to Washington, DC. When we sit down together it's like I take a deep breath and let it back out. He has a calming and re-calibrating effect in my life. So grateful to have a sounding board that helps me process life and ministry. I think everybody needs somebody they trust enough to let it all hang out.
Not sure how to say this. And I'm not trying to open a can of theological worms. But an elder isn't just someone who sits on a board. In the truest sense, I think an elder offers wise counsel in a more relational context. I just wonder if the church has instituionalized eldership via boards and bylaws so we "meet the law" but "miss the spirit." Don't get me wrong. I think an elder can be both spiritual and organizational. It's just so easy to institutionalize things.
I guess I'm saying I'm grateful for an elder in the faith!
Junky Car Club Calendar
A few months ago my friend, Mike Foster, invited me to be in the Junky Car Club Calendar. Way too fun and funny! Here is a sneak preview. All the proceeds go to at risk and homeless kids in Las Vegas. Great cause and cool calendar!
You can pre-order at junkycarclub.com.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Day Off
Had a great day off. Flew back from Missouri in the early AM and picked the kids up from school. By the way, Josiah asked an intriguing question about my trip: "When you travel to cities do you go there to experience it." You probably had to hear the little-boy accent combined with a sophisticated sounding question, but it was way too cute! Have no idea where that came from!
We played a little corn hole on my new corn hole set. Love that game! Then I went to the gym with Parker. I think it is really healthy for dads and sons to sweat together! Starting to get excited about basketball season! I'll coach Parker's team again. Then we went out for a little Ethiopian for dinner--it's our favorite food. And we topped it off with a game of clue. I don't think I've played clue in a decade! One of the cool things about having kids is you go full circle back to the games you played as a kid!
Grab a Lion
Just wanted to let you know that our discipleship pastor, Heather Zempel, just announced a free give away of the new Chase the Lion study guide produced by threads.
Check it out.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Awaken
Every once in a while I like putting a conference on the radar. Very excited about speaking @ Awaken next April. Definitely worth checking out! Here's the lineup.
A Lesson in Leadership
It's hard to put today into perspective. I was part of a group of five pastors that met with Dr. George Wood, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. We spent the better part of fourteen hours together including dinner at his house. I can only describe it as a thoroughly enjoyable day that leaves me hopeful about things to come.
Here are a few of my unfiltered impressions:
I love George Wood's leadership style. He focuses on ends not means which gives churches the freedom to innovate. That's huge! Really love the way he appreciates the past but focuses on the future. He makes me think. He speaks a new language, not tired words. And I feel like he hears me when I talk. So much of leadership is creating culture and setting tone. Great tone being established at headquarters!
I honestly feel like I got a lesson in leadership today.
Gastrointestinal Memories
I flew to Springfield, Missouri yesterday. Walk down memory lane! I did part of my undergrad at the University of Chicago and the other part at Central Bible College in Springfield. Hit two of my favorite spots last night--Mexican Villa and Andy's Custard! I was very happy! It brought back lots of good and a few not so good gastrointestinal memories!
It's been a while since I've had a non-speaking trip. It's very relaxing! Got about four hours of reading time on my flights! I'm here with some of my blogging friends--Jeff, Tory, Brad, George and Paul. We've got a one-day meeting with the Dr. George Wood, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Weekend Reflections
We wrapped up The Elephant in the Church series this weekend with The Apocalyptic Elephant. Part of me is relieved that the series is over because every message was extremely stressful. But is also a tough series to end because there are so many more elephants! I'm pretty sure we'll do a sequel next year. We've already got a few branding ideas: The Elephant Strikes Back or The 800 Pound Gorilla in the Church.
I loved each of our trailers for this series. Props to Jeremy Sexton in our media department. You can check out this week's trailer by clicking on evotional media.
For what it's worth, we will open source this series. It might take some time, but we'll make all of the graphics and trailers and messages downloadable for free! I think this would be a great series for some other churches to do!
Skins Game
Had a blast at the Redskins game today. Got two tickets as a gift so I took Parker. What a beautiful day to watch a game and the skins pulled out a victory!
By the way, one of the great mysteries of life to me is why hot dogs at football games taste so much better than normal hot dogs?
Saturday, October 20, 2007
The Wedding
Friday was quite a day.
The wedding festivities started with pictures in a pretty cool place--the Cannon House Office Building Rotunda. The wedding party looked great and the little kids were way to cute! Few things are as cute as little kids in tuxes and dresses! Summer was a flower girl and Josiah was a ring bearer.
The wedding ceremony was so sacred and so special. Loved the video at the beginning with pictures of Matt and Amanda growing up. Those pictures brought so much perspective. I think they spoke of the faithfulness and sovereignty of God.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was praying the same prayer my father-in-law prayed for Lora and I at our wedding. Lora transcribed it and I prayed it. Even though he passed away nine years ago, that prayer made it feel like he was there in spirit. I couldn't help but get choked up. What a powerful prayer that God is still answering in our marriage!
We topped things off with a fun reception at Top of the Town. One of the most beautiful views in Washington, DC!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Big Day
It's a big day for our family. My sister-in-law, Amanda, is getting married today. Such a privilege to be officiating the wedding. And what a blast hanging out with family who is in town for the wedding!
Well, I better go dust off my one and only suit. I haven't worn it since my last wedding!
Well, I better go dust off my one and only suit. I haven't worn it since my last wedding!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
God @ the Movies
We'll kick off a new series in November called God @ the Movies. Here's the rationale: the 60% of Americans who don't go to church get their theology from movies and music! Maybe we should talk about it.
I think of movies and music as idols to an unknown god. They raise spiritual questions and I think we've got answers. So we exegete the movies and juxtapose them with Scripture. I love the challenge of redeeming the spiritual themes and pointing people to Christ.
I think of movies and music as idols to an unknown god. They raise spiritual questions and I think we've got answers. So we exegete the movies and juxtapose them with Scripture. I love the challenge of redeeming the spiritual themes and pointing people to Christ.
Coming soon to a theater near you!
The Elephant in the Church
We wrap up The Elephant in the Church series this weekend with The Apocalyptic Elephant. I don't preach on the end times very often, but I'm excited about the challenge! I have absolutely loved this series! Hard to end it, but I think we might do a sequel next year or rebrand it somehow.
The Willingness to Fail
Had a meeting this morning with Gary Haugen, Founder and President of the International Justice Mission. What a guy and what an organization! I've admired IJM from a distance for quite some time so it was cool to make a personal connection with Gary. I also know that quite a few NCCers have worked for IJM over the years. If you haven't read Gary's book, Good News about Injustice, you need to get a copy.
I love hearing the creation story of organizations so I asked Gary about the genesis of IJM. Gary was working at the Department of Justice where he was exposed to high doses of injustice and he felt like he needed to do something about it so he started IJM. He said he had no idea it would become what it is. In fact, he told me he had to picture the endeavor failing and going home to live with his parents and be ok with that. I found that fascinating. And it resonated with me. Gary said he had to come to terms with the potential downside: personal humiliation. I honestly think the willingness to fail is at the heart of faith. Faith is the willingness to look foolish. A decade later IJM is having a huge impact leading the fight against injustice, especially human trafficking, all around the world.
One footnote. I was part of the staff prayer time today and you can tell alot about people by their prayer requests. I was so impressed with how mission-focused and cause-oriented they are. Honestly, I think they are more missional than most churches. I walked away challenged and inspired!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Deadly Viper Character Assassians
I had a great conversation today with Jud Wilhite, pastor of Central Christian in Las Vegas. Talked about pastoring and publishing. Very excited about speaking at CC next summer! Definitely one of the dates circled on my calendar.
If you don't have a copy of the book Jud co-authored with Mike Foster you need to get a copy! It's is one of the books I'm currently reading and I'm loving it. I also love the title: Deadly Viper Character Assassians. Part of what makes it a great book is that its written by great guys! They tackle a tough topic, character, with integrity and creativity.
Check out deadlyviper.org.
The Three Challenges
For the physical challenge, we are going to train for and run a 10K together. We're eyeing the Capitol Hill Classic next May. I think it will teach discipline and pursuing a common goal creates a unique bond.
For the intellectual challenge, I'm having Parker read a dozen books. I don't have all of them picked out, but I'm going for a cross-section of books that have impacted my life yet are age-appropriate for him.
For the spiritual challenge, we're reading through the New Testament together. I want to teach him spiritual disciplines so we'll also do a forty-day Lent fast. Not sure what we'll fast, but we'll both give up the same thing. And I want to help him come up with a code of conduct and life goals.
Honestly, I don't really know what I'm doing! I just figure that if we sweat together, talk together, and pray together we'll probably grow close together! Sure, I have a plan. But I'm not sure what this will look like six weeks or six months from now. One thing is sure: I'm not going to let our culture raise my son! I'm determined to disciple him myself!
Meeting Day
Tuesdays and Thursdays are my meeting days. I try to schedule all of my meetings on those days so I have Mondays and Fridays primarily as focus days where I can study for sermons and have some creative margin to dream about the future of NCC.
I usually don't detail what my normal day looks like because I don't want to bore you to death. But I've had quite a few people ask me schedule questions lately. And just to prove that pastors don't just work on Sundays :)
I met with a local church planter this morning. Had a great conversation about things like bylaws and boards. Gotta say that I have so much respect for church planters because I know how tough it is emotionally, financially, and spiritually.
We do our big idea meeting every Tuesday where we game plan the weekend and brainstorm upcoming series. Our next series will be God @ the Movies! I think it'll be a good change of pace coming out of The Elephant in the Church series. It is one of our tag team series where we really encourage NCCers to invite an unchurched friend.
I had several other meetings mixed into my day. Did a phone conference for the trust fund I'm part of. Had a great conversation with a divinity student about cultivating and celebrating diversity. We interviewed a prospective staff person. And I did a short counseling session. I don't do much counseling because it's not my strength. I'm afraid my counseling requires more counseling to undo my counseling!
I'm definitely exhausted at the end of meeting days, but it is hard for me to transition from meeting mode to study mode so I like having different days with a different focus! I think it helps me be more productive!
Add in a few hours online answering emails and that was my day.
Core Values
I've gotten a few questions about our core values at NCC so I thought I'd post them. You can find our core beliefs at theaterchurch.com. We also have three core convictions I'll post at another time.
Honestly, we didn't have core values when we were getting started. The driving motivation was simple: try to create a church where unchurched people can find Christ. I know church planters are taught to identify their core values before launching and there is nothing wrong with that. It's a good exercise. But let me say something that might sound heretical at first earshot: I think your values should change!
It's counter-intuitive so let me explain. Its one thing to write down values and hang them on the wall. It's another thing to discover your values in the trenches of ministry! It is discovery by doing! You won't really know what you value until you do what you're doing for a while! So I have always viewed our core values as a rough draft. They are amendable. Our basic DNA or churchprint won't change dramatically, but I would like to think that we'll discover new values in five or ten years as we mature as a church.
Here are a dozen core values that guide us at NCC:
1. Expect the unexpected
2. Irrelevance is irreverence
3. Love people when they least expect it and least deserve it
4. Playing it safe is risky
5. Pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on you
6. Everyone is invaluable and irreplaceable
7. Everything is an experiment
8. You cannot out give God
9. Maturity does not equal conformity
10. Go the extra mile
11. It's never too late to be who you might have been
12. Do it right and do it big
Monday, October 15, 2007
A Game of Leap Frog
I love the way more and more churches are going open source and sharing their resources for free! My friend, Buddy Cremeans, from Northwaychurch.tv in New York is sharing their latest series. If you have any open source resources post a comment.
I think creativity is like a game of leap frog. We share our stuff with you; you take it, adapt it, upgrade it and do it better than we do it; and you leap frog over us. Then we take what you've done; adapt it and upgrade it; and we leap frog over you! I'm afraid that churches aren't great at sharing with each other so we're all reinventing the wheel every week! Let's play leap frog.
You can check out one of our open source series at www.chasethelion.com.
We're hoping to open source everything in due time.
Lion Chaser's Manifesto
As promised over the weekend, here is the lion chaser's manifesto.
Read it. Post it. Live it.
Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.
Chase the lion.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Retreat Reflections
Had a great Fall Retreat with Campus Crusade. So impressed with the staff and students. I think there were about twenty staff from the different campuses and a couple hundred students.
I really felt like God gave me a heart for these students. I was so impressed with their spiritual intensity! And it's cool to know that I'll hang out with lots of them via In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. If I wasn't a church pastor I could see myself being a campus pastor. I love being around students. It is such a critical life stage.
Had a ton of fun playing a little football, water volleyball, and watching the USF vs. UCF game with the students. And the worship band rocked.
Very excited about speaking at Campus Crusade's winter conference in Atlanta. If you're a student, check out unveiled 07.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Off to Florida
I'm flying to Tampa today to do a retreat for Campus Crusade. Hooking up with a friend of mine from college, Asif Shaikh, who is a campus pastor at University of South Florida. By the way, can you believe USF is ranked #5 in the nation! I love speaking to college students because it is such a critical life stage. You make decisions you'll manage the rest of you life! I always believe for defining moments and divine appointments at these kinds of retreats!
I think this trip puts me at 25 nights for the year. I set a limit of 30 nights away from my family at the beginning of the year. That excludes trips where family travels with me which I am very intentional about. I've been having a hard time keeping track of what time zone I'm in the last two months, but things slow down considerably the next couple months!
I'm definitely learning some travel lessons. If you don't control your calendar, your calendar will control you! I'll definitely stick with a 30 night maximum next year and most of 2008 is already scheduled. Trying to spread things out a little more and be more strategic. Like so much of life, it is a balancing act!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Staff Openings at NCC
I'm a big believer in hiring internally because then you get people who get your culture! But I also think there is value in hiring externally. You get fresh blood and fresh perspective. All of that to say this: we're looking to hire a few positions in the next few months and I utilize my blog for everything else. Why not staff openings?
For starters, we're looking to hire an office manager position in the next two weeks. To apply, you can email Christina Borja at christina@theaterchurch.com.
Small Group Curriculum
In case you want to check it out, Threads just posted a chase the lion promo video on YouTube.
You can also get a free sample of the small group curriculum here.
You can also get a free sample of the small group curriculum here.
The Double-Whammy
I want everybody I meet to meet Jesus. I want to see their lives transformed by Christ. But I don't think we're called to convert people. We're called to serve people. When you come to convert, people put up walls. I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't share your faith. Of course you share what is most important to you with others. It's only natural. But when you do that without relationship I think it can be counter-productive. Not always. But sometimes.
Paul gave us a great modus operandi in I Thesalonnians 2:8:
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
We need to share the gospel and share our lives. That is the double-whammy! When you share your life and serve people, even the highest walls come down. Then people want to hear what we have to say!
Here is the question we ought to ask the people we meet: how can I serve you? I cannot save anyone. But I can serve everyone! And when we serve people, people get saved.
Georgetown Inroads
God continues to give us amazing favor and inroads into the Georgetown community as we prepare to launch our Georgetown location on November 4.
On Tuesday night I spoke to a group of men in Georgetown. We met at Evermay--a four acre estate in Georgetown. Amazing place with an amazing history! And the view of the city from Evermay is unparalled.
Most of the guys at the Bible study are very influential and very successful in their respective fields. Honestly? I was a little nervous. It's that instinctive Jeremiah reflex: I can't speak for you. I'm too young. But I've learned that the situations where you feel the least qualified are the very situations where God can do the most because you realize how much you need His help! And here's the deal. I found the guys to be totally unpretentious and there is something about Jesus that is so equalizing. He is the Great Equalizer! Our credentials go away and we're just a bunch of guys who need to know God and serve God better!
All of that to say this. I really want our Georgetown launch to be as organic as possible. And I think the way you make it organic is by praying and serving and building relationships one person at a time.
I really want us to become part of the fabric of Georgetown. That's one reason I'm praying for a coffeehouse on M Street or Wisconsin Avenue.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Nope, he's not in heaven yet
This week Parker's bearded-dragon, Dumbledore, died. I carried his cage out back and didn't have time to give Dumbledore a proper burial so he was still inside. Josiah went out back to see him and came back in crying.
So a little later in the day, Josiah announced to Lora, "I'm going out to check and see if Dumbledore went to heaven yet." He went out back. Came back in. And said, "Nope. He's not in heaven yet."
Made me want to laugh and cry!
One Year Ago Today
Just thought I'd pause and reflect for a moment.
One year ago today, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, came off the press! It hit #41 on Amazon.com on day one and five printings later it still seems to be gaining momentum. One of the lessons I learned as a first time author is that you can't really expect huge sales out of the gate because nobody knows who you are! You have to rely on word of mouth and word of mouse. But if people like the book they tell other people about the book and you get a second generation of readers. And if they really like the book you might get a third or fourth generation of readers. It is much slower than putting a book on the best-seller rack at Barnes and Noble! But it has been so amazing to see God network this book over the past year! Every reader is an answer to prayer!
Only seems appropriate to offer some kind of anniversary sale so if you'd like to get a case of books (24 copies) shoot an email to resources@theaterchurch.com and we'll hook you up!
Urgent vs. Important
I've always loved Stephen Covey's four quadrants. I may be mis-labeling because I read 7 Habits about ten years ago. But everything we do falls into one of these four quadrants:
Q1: Urgent and Important
Q2: Important but Not Urgent
Q3: Urgent but Not Important
Q4: Not Urgent and Not Important
I think we tend to neglect Q2. I find myself spending too much time in Q3 doing things that are urgent but not important and too little time in Q2 doing things that are important but not urgent.
As Covey says, "Anything less than a conscious commitment to the important is an unconscious commitment to the urgent."
That is so true and so convicting!
I just felt like I wanted to process what I'm wrestling with right now. My most important time is spent praying on the rooftop of Ebenezers or reading at a coffeehouse. But I have so many emails to answer!
I'm really trying to reprioritize my life right now. I don't want to get sucked into the blackhole called urgent. Seems to me like prayer and bible study are Q2 disciplines. In fact, it seems like all the spiritual disciplines are Q2. They don't feel urgent, but they are so important.
I'm trying to get back to Q2!
Anonymity, Immeasurement & Irrelevance
I'm still processing Catalyst. One of the dangers with conferences is that you get lots of information but it doesn't result in transformation unless you actually implement something. So you can walk away from a conference feeling less effective because you've eaten from the tree of knowledge but haven't done anything with it.
One of the sessions that was most practical and most helpful to me was Patrick Lencioni. Because I'm a Lead Pastor it hit a nerve ending because I feel a profound responsibility for the team I lead. And I don't always feel like I do a great job. Some things come easily and naturally. We have a ton of fun together. And I think we've got a great culture. But we're much better at creativity than organization.
Lencioni offered three important reminders. Job misery is the byproduct of three things: anonymity, immeasurment, and irrelevance.
Anonymity is feeling like your boss doesn't know you and doesn't care. We all have the need to be known. Lencioni said that those of us in leadership need to see ourselves as life coaches to the people who work with us. I love that perspective!
Immeasurement is not knowing how you're doing. Lencioni said we all need to know that we're doing a good job. I think this is tough in the local church context. But we've got to find ways to give feedback and evaluate.
And Irrelevence is the need to know that what we do matters! I think this is where we have a distinct advantage in ministry, but it is the job of the leader to make sure that people don't get so engrossed in what they are doing that they forget why they are doing it. Leaders are always connecting the dots between what and why! We need to let people know that they are making an eternal difference!
Monday, October 08, 2007
Columbus Day
Had a great Columbus Day. Hung out with our inlaws in Bristow, VA. We call it "the ranch" because they actually have a backyard unlike those of us who are city dwellers. Really nice to escape to the burbs every once in a while!
Played a ton of corn hole. Have you ever played this game? Heard of this game? It's the simplest game in the world. You just toss bean bags and try to get them into a six-inch hole about thirty feet away. Man was it addictive. I actually have a sore calf muscle from playing so much!
We also fit in our annual trip to Cox Farm. If you live in the DC area it's a must-visit before Halloween! Gotta love the giant slide; kettle corn; and unlimited apple cider!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Georgetown Reflections
I had such a profound sense of history and sense of destiny as I drove to Georgetown today. I wasn't preaching so I got to attend our first dry-run service. On the way to the theater, I drove by one of the oldest churches in Washington, DC and thanked God for the churches that have been part of the fabric of Georgetown for hundreds of years! We're definitely the new kids on the block. I don't want to offend any churches as we come into Georgetown. I want to bring a blessing with us! As I see it, we need lots of different kinds of churches because there are lots of different kinds of people. I just hope we help lots of people find Jesus! That's the bottom line.
My synapses were firing in so many directions today. Here are a few of my thoughts.
I thought about my dream in April when God said, "Go to Georgetown." At the time, we didn't think the theater was an option so it didn't make sense. But God has a unique way of turning dreams into realities!
I still don't know why it was so hard to get a foot in the door. But I have learned that the harder something is the more you have to pray and the less likely you are to take it for granted. We have prayed like it depends on God because it has!
I felt like it was another Ebenezer moment--Hitherto the Lord has helped us. I felt like I was part of history!
One of the cool things we did today was just spread out around the theater and lay hands on it and pray for it. I really want people to sense God's presence when they walk into that theater! It was pretty intense thinking about the fact that this may have been the first time people have worshipped God or prayed to God in that space! But it won't be the last time! Few things get me as fired up as much as redeeming spaces like movie theaters and nightclubs and coffeehouses and using them for God's purposes!
I was shocked at how many people were there to watch AM movies! The movies will start during our service time which I think is awesome! It's free advertising. We actually had lots of people walking into our theater because they thought a movie was showing!
One footnote.
We did forget one thing: the offering! How funny is that! I knew we'd forget something. Just didn't think it'd be the offering!
FSM
Last night we had our first FSM--Father/Son Meeting.
Parker signed a covenant last weekend that included three challenges. Part of the intellectual challenge is reading twelve books that we discuss together. And part of the spiritual challenge is reading the New Testament. So we get together and talk about God and talk about life. I'm guessing our meetings will look very different five weeks or fifteen weeks from now. I think they will get deeper and better as we go. But it was good to get started.
How did it go? I didn't hear an angelic choir singing Handel's Messiah, but I know that 52 one-on-one discipleship meetings with my son will pay big-time dividends in his life and mine!
By the way, when I post about parenting please don't think I'm a great dad all the time! I do and say lots of stuff I regret. There are lots of days I feel like a failure as a dad. But I am determined to disciple my kids. And I want to share this part of my life because I do believe that parenting is more important than pastoring.
A Normal Saturday
One of the challenges of ministry is that you work weekends so when someone else preaches I really try to enjoy a normal weekend. Got up on Saturday morning and went to Eastern Market for breakfast. Amazing pancakes and the French toast is my all-time favorite.
We browsed the open-air market; played a game of monopoly; I took a little Saturday Siesta; went to the park to roller blade and scooter; and watched LSU beat Florida in the last minute.
What a nice, normal Saturday!
Buzz 08
It's official. We will be doing another Buzz Conference in Washington, DC on June 26-27, 2008. We just reserved the movie theater @ Union Station so mark your calendars. We went into last year's conference thinking we wouldn't do it again, but we came out feeling like we can't not do this again. Very excited about Buzz 08.
And for those of you across the Atlantic, we're also planning a Buzz Europe conference the last week of May. We're looking at Edinburgh, Scotland.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Catalyst Reflections
I think this was my sixth Catalyst Conference. Loved the speakers! Loved the worship! And I can't wait till next year. We already have our tickets!
A few highlights included singing shout unto God with the voice of triumph with 11,500 other worshipers; our traditional staff dinner at PF Changs; and lunch with Rick Warren.
Great conference! But it's also good to be home sweet home.
Add Value
John Maxwell just received the lifetime achievement award and they asked him to share one piece of advice with leaders. Here it is: intentionally add value to other people's lives everyday!
Disturb Me
When Craig Groeschel spoke at the Buzz Conference I thought it was the most powerful conference session I've ever heard. He shared the same message at Catalyst today and I needed to hear it twice. Actually I need to hear it a lot more than that! If you weren't here you've got to get your ears on the message!
First things first, I love the two prayers I've heard the last two days. Both of them are two word prayers. Rick Warren shared what he said was the most dangerous prayer. And Craig shared the other one this morning. I love both of them. They are going to become prayer mantras in my life.
Use Me
Disturb Me
So simple. So powerful.
Here are the three thoughts Craig shared. He talked about practical atheism. That is when we believe in God but we do life as if God doesn't exist. Here is what happens when we become practical athiests:
1) We believe our effort is more important than God's power!
2) We believe our private life doesn't effect our public ministry.
3) We believe we must please people more than we must please God.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Catalyst: Session One
What do you do when you realize you are the most powerful person in the room? That is the question Andy Stanley asked in the first session at Catalyst. The answer is: wrap a towel around your waist and wash feet. And I love the response of his disciples: they were stunned by his humility! What a great reminder: the more power you have the more humble you need to be!
One of lessons I've been learning is that nothing is more dangerous than praise from people. You have two options when people praise you: the praise can turn into pride or you can take the praise from people and praise God. And how you handle the praise will make you or break you.
If we are following the example of Jesus, we need to leverage our power for others not ourselves! And that isn't a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength. Insecure leaders leverage their power for themselves!
So here is the question leaders need to ask themselves: how can I leverage my power for the other people in this room?
Catalyst Lab
Yesterday was quite a day. Got up awfully early to catch a flight to Atlanta. Really enjoyed doing one of the Catalyst labs. Humbled and honored by the opportunity! Then I did a Chase the Lion event at Crossroads Community Church. Don't speak to youth very often so it was a cool change of pace. Pretty exhausted by the end of the day!
Very excited about kicking back and hanging with our team the next two days!
It was also cool to debut the new study guide that Threads just put out: Chase the Lion. We gave away 100 free copies, but you can also get a free sample online.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Off to Catalyst
Headed to Atlanta for the Catalyst Conference. It is an annual pilgrimage for our entire staff. Very excited about doing a pre-conference lab this year. I've also got a chase the lion event at Crossroads Community Church on Wednesday night.
Then I get to chill out with our team and enjoy the conference!
