Forum

Spent the first part of this week with our C3 executive staff at a ministers conference called the "The Forum." We got to connect with the speakers Scott Wilson, Justin Lathrop and Shane Walters from the Oaks in Dallas, as well as Gene Rencone from Colorado. The sessions have been rich and seeing friends has been amazing well. I also got to lead the worship with several pastors from throughout the state.
I can't wait to go back and try to sift through all this new info and try to apply as much as I can, because THERE IS NO GROWTH WITHOUT APPLICATION!

rainy days

Today, I got up and got in the woods for the first day of bow season.....that is until it started raining. After seeing nothing, I climbed down, came home and jumped in my warm bed. The rest of the day was spent investing into my life into my kids. We played every board game, football in the living room, horsey rides and daddy monster. Being a dad is one of THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLES that I play on this earth. Here's my order:
- God
- Family
- Church

Boston Marathon 2010

Last night I signed up officially for the Boston Marathon in April of 2010. Last year, I put a list together of things I want to accomplish or experience before I die. My goal is to cross off at least one thing every year. Here are a couple from my list:
- Walk the Great Wall of China
- See the Grand Canyon
- 7 day Euro-rail vacation w/only a backpack
- Ride across the US on a motorcycle
- Be there when my sons shoot their 1st deer
- Tithe 15%
- Compete in an Eco Challenge
- Write a book
- Visit Australia
- Drive a Honda Element
- Take a missions trip w/each of my Kids
- Do a Rite of Passage w/each of my Kids
Just to name a few!

Risk

You can't risk without failing. It's gonna happen and realistically, it probably should. I had a visionary leader I served under say this to me, "If your not failing on occasion, I'm going to doubt that your really giving it your all." Truly, if I don't fail every now and then, I'm playing way too conservatively (like the Buckeyes in the USC game...ha...ouch..."sobbing loudly") If I'm not risking enough to fail, then do I really have faith. Faith that trusts God's Word and His voice, that if He don't show up we are bound to fail. Can you imagine if we lived our lives in such a way that God HAD to show up or we would fail? Instead of being comfortable attempting stuff that we could pull off on our own, we step out into uncharted water, where ONLY GOD could get the credit if it were pulled off! That's where I want to live....in the realm called "Faith" by some and "pipe dream" by others!

example

"Example" is a language everyone understands. It really is true that I speak my words, but scream my actions. If my words and actions line up it is awesome, but if they don't, it is hypocrisy. I have learned with my kids, that before I tell them NOT to do something, I must first check my own life. Many times they are just following my example....ouch. Sometimes I want to say, "don't do as I do, do as I say!" HA...but that can never work. I try to work hard at what example I am setting to my wife, kids, friends, church and community. What example are you setting? Your example speaks louder and clearer than anything you could ever say.

Central Section mtng

Today, the C3 crew is heading to the Central Sectional meeting. We are discussing the book by Bill Hybels entitled "Axiom." Solid book....great principles. One good one is "facts are you friends." As leaders, many times we run from facts because they point to our lack. But facts point to how we can improve and if we are all about excellence, then we need to be big enough to run with it. Do you know the facts about why there is growth or no growth? If not, what are you going to do about it?

Iron sharpens Iron

Excited about journeying with 4 guys of C3 for 4 months. In that time we will meet 2x's a month. We will walk through 4 books and will have some great discussion centering on growth spiritually, with our families and in our leadership. I'm excited about the journey.

Today was a monumental day for Keri and I. We had all 3 kids in school at the same time and were able to enjoy a couple hours at a coffee shop together on my day off. It's a NEW DAY!

like

Like attracts like - I think it is fascinating to me how we attract people who are like ourselves. It's funny how you put a group a people in a room and before long they have found others like themselves. Whether it's all the negative or positive people have gotten together or all the strong personalities have congregated. In leadership we have to be careful that we don't just surround ourselves with people who are like us. A team full of Tom Brady like QB's, would lose every game without an offensive line. He may be an incredible quarterback, but he needs a different kind of people around him to be most effective.
Like charges like - Today, I met with a friend who charged me up spiritually. We may be different in many ways, but when it comes to passion and hunger for God, we are very alike. Just hearing him talk about his journey with Jesus and feeling his hunger for more, charged me up. It's amazing when I'm around others who are passionate visionaries or in love with Jesus, I feed off that. Why? Because like charges like.

lid lifter

How many people are better today, or have became more, because of you? I think all of us have something to give to someone. The very least we could do is to take people to where to where we are. Really, that's all I can do. I remember when I showed up to a youth ministry that had NO musical talent. I started teaching different one's everything I knew (which wasn't much). Soon after that, they continued to progress until at one time, we had 3 full solid bands! Several of them have done some recordings. All I did was took them as far as I could bring them. In other words, I lifted their lid of potential. Really, when you think about it, our job as a leader is to raise their belief in what they could actually do, and help empower them to do it. Who is better today because of you?

memories vs memorabilia

I want to travel through life, light. In other words, I want to keep the memories, but let go of much of the memorabilia. The moment I begin to hold on to everything and pack it away, the less quickly I am able to move and change. Plus, I begin to worry more about my stuff, than what is truly important. Or, I begin to care for what "I" came up with, more than what is the right thing at that time. I keep the memories of the "good old days," but continue to press forward to be as effective as possible for the Kingdom of God. I hope someone can actually make sense of that ramble.

Meetings meetings

Today, I'm in a Presbyter meeting where the leaders of the Ohio Assembly of God ministers are getting together. We are looking at ways to continually be better stewards of what God has entrusted us. In a few minutes, I will get to interview several new ministers wanting to get credentials. I pray that God gives me some wisdom to impart. Also, enjoying the sunshine.....from a window.

Sunday

Today we had a good Sunday. The services went well as we baptized 3 and had 5 receive Christ! It never ceases to amaze me how Jesus changes lives. Later in the afternoon, we had an "ALL LEADERS" meeting. This is where we meet with those who are leading a serving opportunity within the church. We have a couple of key leaders who are stepping up to take C3 to the next level. Of course with Brent Salyers coming on staff as our "Family Life Dir." Also, a 1st Impressions Coordinator, to oversee most of what goes on on Sunday morning. As well as a "Connections" team leader. She will build a team to "connect" with people on a Sunday morning on a deeper level than just a "greeter." All in all, God is bringing us the right people in His time to fulfill the vision that He is giving. Then at 7pm, we had about 25 show up to pray. It was cool as we spent the last 15min praying in our new unfinished sanctuary!

carrying weight

I have learned that in life and ministry, I am forced to carry extra weight. It could be counseling others, the demands of life, others negative comments, leading a church, spiritual attacks, you name it, many of us have had extra weight placed on us. I think the key is HOW we carry it. I remember getting my first "rolling luggage." It's amazing how much those wheels helped. I was carrying the same amount of weight, it just felt easier. It's tough at times not to take the weight home with me. For me, God's strength is like the wheels on my luggage. As long as I'm placing the weight on HIM, HE allows me to move the weight with ease. Really when you think about it, most of the burdens we carry have been taken of by Christ Jesus. So, what are you carrying.....and how are you carrying it?

ineffectiveness

The #1 reason for ineffectiveness, is lack of strategy. I think it's crazy how many are trying to move their church, organization, family or spiritual lives, with no strategy. I'll be the first to admit, I've been here more times than I would have liked. Then I'm disappointed when I don't succeed. The problem is, if I've never defined what success is or my strategy to get there, I guess I am hoping that if I roll the dice that all will come out favorably. It's like shooting an arrow in the forest and then after it hits a tree, painting a bullseye around it. This morning I am asking myself what areas of my life are ineffective and then thinking about a strategy to improve them. What area's of your life, do you need a strategy?

payback

Today while driving, I was overwhelmed by what God has done for me/us. I began to weep thinking about He paid my debt of sin and how there is no way that I could ever pay Him back. Even a lifetime of 100% devotion and service, could never come close to scratching even the surface. I am forever indebted and it makes me love Him all the more. My one option though, is to pay it forward. When I show others the same love that was shown me through Christ, I pay it forward. Have you reflected today on what Christ freed you from? AND are you paying Christ's love forward?

no labor yesterday

Yesterday, I got up and ran a 4 mile race in the pouring rain. I won my age group in 23:17. I met the Buck I Guy, saw Craig Krenzel, Demetrius Gibson, Miss Teen Ohio and a clown on a unicycle. I then rushed home and we headed over to the Fowlers to hang with them and our new staff members, the Salyers. We had a great time playing the Wii and some other games. A great time was had by all.

Serve

Friday night, my family parked cars on our church lot for the HS football game. It was cool to hand out "blowpops" to everyone who pulled in. I got the opportunity afterward to talk with my kids about serving. I told them that when we serve, is when we look the most like Jesus. I want to continue serving as a family......and eating blowpops.....especially grape ones.

building the walls

Our executive team had a good 2 days hammering out job descriptions, obstacles and opportunities. I think we made some good headway.
Today, I got back in the office to see the full concrete pad has been poured and the crane is here and moving the walls in place. The walls should be completely done today and then the trusses. Midwest church construction is moving very quickly. Last night I heard a statistic that the average pastor only stays 18 months after a building project is completed. This is usually due to the stress level that burns them out. My Keri asked if I was feeling stressed about ours and I said
'No, not at all." A big part of that is due to one of our ELT (Executive Leadership Team) members Hope, who is doing an amazing job as the project manager on our end. She does this sort of thing for a living and is doing 10x's better than I could have ever dreamed of doing. I am a firm believer in a TEAM, and Hope is a "10" in this role.

my 10 day cleanse

Today wraps up my 10 full body toxin cleanse. I have been eating salads, fruits, veggies and oatmeal along with certain drinks and pills. I have lost 2 pounds....not that I was doing this to lose weight, but that happens when you cut out all fried foods and sugars. I feel good, but can't wait to eat some real meat and drink a coffee. I did learn that I COULD NEVER BE A VEGETARIAN...EVER! I'm just glad it is over...ha.

the days pass quickly

Tuesday, I had the privilege of traveling to Perrysburg to speak to the NW section of A/G pastors. The cool thing was that I walked away with a couple of great ideas as well. They have some great leaders there.
Today, myself, Gary and new staff member Brent Salyers locked ourselves in a meeting room for the whole day. Tomorrow will be the same. We are hammering out our Org Chart, job descriptions and who is doing what. We are trying to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of our staff and volunteers. We have some amazing people at C3 and we want to be good stewards with what God has entrusted to us.
PS - I went 4/4 tonight is softball and hoofed out a couple extra bases.....and we won! Altogether...a great day!

Great weekend

We had a blast Sunday at our 3rd annual C3 picnic. We had some great food and fun. Our cornhole tournament had right at 50 teams entered and the kickball game on the HS baseball field was a blast. The park we were at also had an incredible new play land for the kids. At the end of the day though somehow my boys found the dirt mound more fun. Normally, C3's big events are for others, but this one was for us. It's really overwhelming looking around at all the people and thinking that God could see all this taking place many years ago. Is all it took was a step of faith.