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Archive for the ‘Stratagies’ Category
8 Apr
Rappers Delight
15 Mar
Keep Running
“Right now a lot of men who have considered themselves successful are suddenly feeling as if they’ve fallen behind, perhaps irredeemably so. Many men are dealing with this sudden economic downturn by taking out their frustrations on themselves – working harder, stressing more, and in some cases, simply giving up. Too many of us identify [...]
9 Mar
Goat Farmer….
The story went something like this:
There was a farmer who had 10 goats. Every day he would take great care of these goats – personally feeding them, checking their ears, cleaning their pen, etc. Then one day the farmer became the proud owner of 1000 goats. He quickly realized that he could no longer give [...]
3 Mar
Simple….
Preaching on Sunday mornings is such a simple thing and by complicating it, I think we all do ourselves and the audience a disservice. It is very simple. Here is the model: Make people feel like they need an answer to a question. Then take them to God’s Word to answer the question. And tell [...]
24 Feb
Real Super Heroes
Superheroes have their problems too.
I just read an insightful piece on Stan Lee – the comic book creator that brought to life Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, and many other iconic superheroes.
Stan had lost his interest in writing. On the verge of quitting his job as a comic book writer, Lee had a heart to heart [...]
20 Jan
7 Non Negotiables
As an unfortunate veteran of long and tedious meetings (31 meetings last week alone), I have come to really appreciate the good ones.
Yesterday was a good GREAT one!
Our Small Group leadership team meets Monday mornings to discuss strategies, God stories, and challenges that we are encountering as we coach our own team of small group [...]
14 Jan
7 Rules For a Happy Connection
Caution – Rant Ahead.
Ok, so this is just one guy’s opinion. Who am I to decree cell phone/voice mail/email etiquette?
I also fully recognize the risk I run by posting this – I know my buddies, and I know how they think. My voice and email box will certainly fill with spoofs of what I’m getting [...]
5 Jan
Re-Imagine 2009
How do you measure just how good your year was? One of my favorite litmus tests – am I more like my Creator now than I was last January?
The short answer – not so much.
Looking back at 2008, I can see the grace-full hand of God AND the selfish sinful nature of me – ugh. [...]
14 Oct
4 Questions I’m Asking Today…
How do I fall in love with you all over again Jesus?
These questions may help me…
From the Catalyst conference last week – Perry Noble, pastor at NewSpring Church in South Carolina:
1. How much time do I spend listening to you God? I mean daily uninterrupted consistent time…
2. Am I more concerned with being recognized or [...]
13 Oct
Re-Imagine
Father, I love you.
Forgive me for taking you for granted. All I want to do this morning is to fall in love with you, all over again. My heart is to begin this romance today. Right now.
Re-imagine.
What has your relationship with Christ looked like at its best? What does it look like now? Is there [...]
8 Oct
First Step
OK, I admit it.
Church work can be…well…work. Peering from the outside in through the ornate stained glass windows, one would think that those that work inside the holy of holies spend their days lost within 8 hour worship sets. Hardly.
Some days are no better than your average corporate workday – in fact, they are worse.
I [...]
2 Oct
Perk-onomics
Adapted from Trend Watching…
I am always careful when drawing comparative analysis from the corporate world to our local churches. God is God, and He doesn’t need slick Madison Avenue to help Him do His thing. But we would be foolish not to keep one eye on the trends. Why? Because their audience is our audience.
So, [...]
1 Oct
Mega
Ran across this report a few minutes ago:
The Hartford Institute recently released a report on Changes In American Mega churches and found that a focus on small groups was one of the things in common for growing congregations. Here is a summary of the report:
Mega churches – Protestant congregations that draw 2,000 or more adults [...]
30 Sep
The Cry of the Oppressed…
Notes taken from a very good read – Rob Bell’s “Jesus Wants to Save Christians”.
The first book of the Bible – Exodus? No, but many scholars see the second book of the Bible as the book in which the central story of redemption begins – liberation from Egypt.
God always hears the cry of the oppressed.
The [...]
29 Sep
2008: The Perfect Christmas?
Was talking to a friend of mine a few days ago. She was in full Christmas stress mode some 3 months out. And with good reason.
According to the American Consumer Credit Council, the average American spends $935 on Christmas each year. In my large family, I’m personally responsible for skewing that number high.
Money is tight [...]
19 Sep
What Do You Think?
Real learning happens for me in the exchange of life experiences. Here are some of my favorite highlights from this past week:
1. My church requires a three year commitment to serve on a Committee. Many people are reluctant to commit to that many years of their life. In a perfect situation, each year the same [...]
18 Sep
Do This With Me…
My email I just sent to my First Impression team of volunteers – somewhere over 150 people. Imagine if each one reached one…
Hi Awesome GFC Volunteers!
Check out this insightful list from a presentation by Don Simmons about why volunteers serve:
1. Someone asked them (93%)
2. Compelling need
3. Personal connection
4. Gratitude for being served
5. Spiritual/ religious beliefs
6. [...]
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