What is your Reality TV guilty pleasure?

OK, this is tough….I do love reality TV.  I get my share of Survivor, Big Brother, & Amazing Race.  Brenda is hooked on the Bachelor.  I can give/take American Idol and that dancing show.  I do like The life of Ryan and Robb & Big.  Or, how abotu little people big world?  Yet, what is the show that you’re embarrassed to admit that you love?  You know….Brett Michaels Rock of Love?  I Love New York?  Flavor of Love?  Surreal Life?  I married a Brady?  or..Scott Baio is 45 and Pregnant?

Mine….The Hills….yea..that’s right.

What is your reality show guilty pleasure?

 

He’s Running

Be Change!

Jason is running 100 miles in Sacramento, CA today to raise awareness & money for healthcare for kids in an inner city school.  Go here to get live updates.

 

It’s cool to live in Seattle!

It’s cool to live in Seattle!

(this is a new feature that will appear weekly on my blog describing why it’s so cool to live in Seattle)

    

EMP (Experience Music Project)

The experience music project is a brainchild of none other than Paul Allen.  Basically, he had a bunch of old Hendrix stuff and was looking for a place to display it.  One thing led to another…and you’ve to the EMP.  Arguabley a very ugly building….but kind of cool in a weird lsd trippy kind of way.  The archetecture is supposed to represent a smashed guitar.  The EMP is actually quite a deal at $15 per person.  Especially if you’re a music lover.  And what I mean by music lover…is music lover of music from around the 60’s. 

There is a really cool piece of art right inside made up of guitars shooting up through the ceiling (i’m sure that i’m not doing this justice).  Also right inside the entrance is “video church”.  At least, this is what it was called back in 1997 when it first opened.  Here’s the challenge….if you walk through it with you mind in 1997…you’ll be impressed and in awe.  For example….they say that there is not a single strip of video tape in the building.  Everything is digital.  Now, by today’s standards…duh!  But in 1997…that was pretty groundbreaking.  I toured the emp back in 1999.  Very cool.  The Hendrix exibit was impressive…especially for the Hendrix fan.  They had a section dedicated to the Seattle sound and grunge music.  I liked that.  There were a few catchy interactive things and even a virtual reality ride dedicated to “Funk” music.  Very cool.

The EMP is worth the $15 and the visit if you’re a music fan.  If not….check out my next post on Seattle and I’ll give you something else to do.

Why is it cool to live in your town?

 

 

Grow your church!

My pastor made an insightful and fantastic statement today in our staff meeting.  He was reflecting on how sometimes as the Senior Leader he will do things that other people might see as too detailed, small thinking, or something that the “pastor” shouldn’t be doing.  You know, the things that others might think he should delegate.  Troy’s reflection was that he needs to do these things not because he’s the pastor or for the church but for HIM.  He (Troy) needs to connect with a guy who was in his youth ministry back in the day and spend some time with him.  Go the extra mile to engourage him and get him involved in ministry.  Troy said that we all need to not be afraid to do little things.  He then reflected, “Doing little things won’t (by itself) grow the church…it will grow you…growing you WILL grow the church”. 

The context in the meeting when this was shared was valuable.  Too many times we get so focused on our strategy and sticking to the main thing…that we miss Jesus in the little things.  We work so hard to “grow” the church that we forget to “grow” us.  We will never grow a great ministry/organization until we focus on and grow us first.

What areas do you need to grow in today?

 

Drive session 3…

Session 3 opened with another great high energy song.  The band did a great job.  Now, to Andy’s talk.  He did what I really enjoy about attending conferences.  He threw out his notes for the final session and decided to just talk.  So, he said that he decided to pull out five quotes that he has been wrestling with and he was going to share them with us…give thoughts…and mention a “take away”.  So, here goes:

1. Quote: “To reach people no one else is reaching, we must do things no one else is doing”.  -Craig Grochel

Andy put this on a large document…with the number of unreached people within a 10 mile radius of their three campuses….then posted it in their conference room.  Goal is to have this quote disturbe them every day.

Take Away: Become preocupied with those you haven’t reached as opposed to those you are trying to keep. -Reggie Joiner

2. Quote: The next generation product almost never comes from the previous generation.

Someone on the fringe of ministry is coming up with the next thing.  You can either Fight it or Fund it.  You can be so careful that you’re behind the times…

Take Away: Be a student not a critic

3. Quote: What do I believe is impossible to do in my field, but if it could be done…it would fundamentally change my business?

What in your particular model would you change if you looked at it different?

Take Away: Pay attention to the opeople who are breaking the rules.

4. Quote: If we got kicked out and the board got rid of us, why shouldn’t we just walk out - come back in - and do it ourselves?  (story from the guys at intel, Only the paranoid survive)

Question…ASK…What’s in decline?  Where are we manufacturing energy? (great question)…announcements?  events?  stuff that no-one really wants?…..NOT…Why are people not attending…?  if you’re asking that question…it’s too late!

Question….ASK….What are our underlying assumptions?  What are the assumptions that we as a team have that we really shouldn’t?  Ask someone new to evaluate who we are and what we do?  Signage/environments/wording/communication…etc

Take Away: Acknowledge what’s not working and own up to why you’re not willing to do anything about it.

Side note….This stuff is totally kicking my butt!!!

5. Quote: When your memories exceed your dreams…the end is near.  -Unknown

Crank up the vison.  If the vision isn’t driving it…then the past is.

Success breeds complacency…compacency breeds failure.

Take Away: Don’t let success or momentum overshadow your vision.  Keep the vision out front.

What are things that you’re doing to reach people that no one else is doing?

 

Drive session 2

Yea…I know that Drive ended 3 days ago but I’ve been running around and didn’t get a chance to post my thoughts on Drive….so….here goes.  The second session was great…yet….I enjoyed the 3 probably the best.  In the second session on Tuesday afternoon it opened with a rockin number by the band.  Little cover tune by Zeplin.  Great job Christina.  Andy’s talk:

Becoming a great staff  (Mark 10)

1. A great staff is made up of “great” leaders.  Leaders that ask the question, “How can I help”?

2. Best practices for creating a “Great” staff.

a. Do for ONE when you can’t do for all.   LOVED this point.  I’ve been involved on teams that the leader would say….well, If I can’t do it for all…I won’t do for any.  OK, that’s fine for them….but what about that one person who really needed what they had to give them? As leaders, we need to ask….what is the ONE thing that this ONE person needs from me?

b. Systematize top down service.  Random acts of kindness is not enough.  If you want your team to serve…make sure they see you serving.  be intentional.  One thing that NP does is assign all team members to a “staff coach”.  This is an older member of the team who will help develop the person of the team members.  The team member can bring anything to this coach to get perspective.  Great idea…especially for larger staffs.

d. Create and maintain a sustainable pace.  Withough margin, there is no room to serve.  Without margin, we seek first OUR kingdom.

e. Celbrate and reward greatness when you see it.  What’s rewarded is repeated!  That is so good!

Andy paused and reflected on one talk he’s developing right now….Symbolic Leadership - I’m going to do for one what I wish I could do for all.  I really like the title…Symbolic Leadership.  Where could we go with that?

f. Confront your ego.  What’s more important:  Creating a great organization or creating a name for yourself?  Ouch!

3. Signs that things aren’t so “great”.

a. Competition between departments

b. Double standards

c. Loyalty lectures

One thing NP does is stop at the beginnning of some staff meeings and write one thank you note.  Great idea.

Wrapped up the session - went on road trip to Brownsbridge - Had outside BBQ - did a quick starbucks run - then came back to hear the Bethany Dillon bluegrass group (not my music style but I can acknowledge the talent).

Then….Jeff Foxworthy.  Yes he was very funny.  Great christian guy!

Top Tip:

Take time to write a Thank You note…

 

Mark Thompson….My Friend….Creative Chaos

My addition to the Creative Chaos and my friend Carlos Whittaker at Ragamuffinsoul.com. 

Here is my friend Mark Thompson.  He’s a musical ventriloquist.  In these pictures he is using his gifts to make kids in Jamaca laugh last week. 

My creative idea is that we should all use the gifts that we have to make kids in other parts of the world (and here in the US) laugh.  There’s nothing like the laughter of a child.  Look at these pictures with Joy.

It’s a rare talent that can keep the attention of that many kids….entertain them….make them laugh….then share Jesus. 

I’m proud to call Mark my friend.  He’s truly a creative guy.

How do you creatively make kids laugh?

 

Doesn’t get any better than this…

One of the greatest parts of leading a ministry team is the high quality people that we get the privilege to work with.  Let me introduce you to my good friend and team member…Rev. Bobby Stuart.  Recently graduated from Northwest University.  Bobby has been faithfully leading our Fusion Singles ministry for the last few years while finishing his education and working full time to support his wife and 2 boys.  I love doing ministry with people like Bobby.

Congratulations on finishing school Bobby!

Who’s at the top of the gene pool on your team?

 

Blog Buddies with Ragamuffinsoul

After Session 1 of Drive we met up with a bunch of bloggers who track with Carlos at Ragamuffin soul.  It was quite a fun/interesting gathering.  Great people.  Nice meeting some of the people who I’ve followed in the blog world.  Especailly enjoyed connecting with carlos & Heather….Reid, Brad, & Pete.  Great time had by all.  Thanks los for organizing our gathering and inspiring us to blog.

I’m the hovering head in the row right in front of the back row on the right side.

When was the last time you met 30 good friends for the first time?

 

Drive Session 1

Tonight opened up with the band & Steve Fee performing a cool song (I think it’s called Typical).  Then Andy came up and set up expectations for the event.  Cute video about church staff road trip then into Andy.  Once again, Andy did a great job presenting a topic that for some will be brand new and others might be a topic they’ve already studied.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  As leaders we need to choose to Trust and be Trustworthy.  I liked the way that Andy is able to speak for the senior leader to the staff and share some tough statements that staff might likely hear better and let it sink deeper coming from Andy at a conference as opposed to their own senior leader.

Bottom Line….(as a leader in the middle)

Our leaders need to trust us:  When the senior leader finds the gap between what they expect and experience…they need to trust.  When there is suspicion, they need to trust.  When trust is eroded, they need to come directly to us.

We need to be trustworthy:  We need to do what we say and when we don’t…we need to tell our leader.  We need to not over promise and under deliver…but, if it looks like we’re headed that way…we need to tell our leader.  And, if we’re confronted about the gaps we create…we need to tell the truth.  

When we tell the truth and go directly to our leader with and issue…we will build confidence.

Final Question…..nail in the coffin….

“Are the relationships on your staff worth exporting to your congregation”?  or  How will you feel when you see the people in you congregation building relationships like the relationship on your staff?

Session ended with a powerful worship set led by Steve Fee, Eddie Kirkland, Kristian Stanfill, & Todd Fields with back up by Candi Pearson-Shelton.  Now that’s a powerful line-up.  All this while the Jesus Painter is doing his thing.  Deep, powerful, emotional, moving, celebration, communion, love, and thankfulness.

As a leader, do you trust your team?  As a team member, are you trustworthy?