Building Community

It's interesting to see how marketing has changed over the years. Because of the Internet, companies are spending more time and more dollars creating community and giving customers their own voice than they used to. A perfect example is PumaTalk. This online community is a place for people to talk about the latest in Puma gear as well as a Puma Photoblog with all kinds of shots from all around the world.

I've been talking with some friends lately about this trend and how people want to be part of a community of others with the same values even if they don't always agree. To start a dialog without pretense and just see what happens. Is it possible to connect with someone about shoes and then as that relationship develops, other bigger or dare I say higher issues come about that actually have purpose.

The world is looking for places to connect. I'd encourage you to engage people. Find out what they are about... what they have to give... find a common place and start there. You never know what could come from it... even if it starts with just shoes. Cool shoes... but just shoes.

Finding Your Voice...

So, I'm reading Kouzes and Posner's The Leadership Challenge for the second time and working my way through the workbook. It's been very challenging (the pun was unintentional BTW) for me. The material is incredible and I'd say one of the deepest leadership books out there. Anyway... one of the sections talks about Finding Your Voice. In other words, clarifying your values... knowing what's important to you... what matters most... and then finding alignment between what you value and what you are doing and pursuing. Only then will you "find your voice"... the strength to be you. The courage to walk in what you know you were created for. It's so easy to fit the mold of where we work or the people that surround us. Those are gifts in our lives to be sure but what cause is really important to you... what do you value?

Is it family? Then spend more time with them. Is it the lost? Then quit spending so much time in the church. Is it the poor? Then give generously. Whatever it is, be honest enough with yourself and in prayer and God will help clarify what you were made for and you'll never feel the same again.

Catalyst - Session 006

Nick and I overslept a bit and got to the arena late. We were able to score some pretty good seats thought. That's the FOG (favor of God). We started out by setting another Guinness World Record. We set the Record for Breaking the Most Records. Under everyone's seat was an old vinyl 45 record and we all snapped them in two at the same time. Good stuff.

Nothing could have prepared me for Craig Groeschel. I've seen his podcasts and read his book, Confessions of a Pastor but this was another level. He added a confession that wasn't in his book. He talked about being a Practical Atheist.

It's where we believe in God in our hearts but live as though he doesn't exist. For pastors, the issue is believing that God exists but doing ministry as though he does not.

We would never say it with our mouths but we live as though God doesn't exist so often. It's so easy to do. I'm not going to go into all of the things he talked about but I want to ask a question... what are some ways that you believe that God exists but live like he does not?

This isn't a rhetorical question. I want to hear from you. If you dare... be honest. We may help each other. I know there are many ways that I'm guilty of this so I'll go first...

I believe (because of how I live) that my success has more to do with my best efforts than it does with God's power. That the ministry... if it rises or fails... is about me and my best or worst efforts. It's funny, if things decline... it's my fault... (I would never say this next one but it's true...) If things go well... it's because I did it.

I wouldn't say it out loud, but I live as though success in this life... marriage... parenting... work... it's all up to me and if I'm honest... I obsess about how bad I suck. With God's help, I'm going to seek him more. I'm going to really trust him more. I'm going to live as though he exists and that he is actively working on my behalf to make me successful and to fulfill his purposes in my family, relationships, and ministry. That it's not all up to me.

God help me... you're a good God and I'm asking you again to disturb me until all is right in me.

Catalyst - Session 005

The last session was with a Nigerian pastor who leads a church of just under 100,000 people in Kiev, Ukraine. His name is Sunday Adelaja and the name of his church is... (drumroll) the Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations.

He spoke on the seven spheres of influence and how the church has only tried to operate in one sphere... the religion/spiritual sphere. That's why no one is listening. We must move and have the influence God calls us to in others spheres of influence in our society such as government, schools, media and entertainment, sports, business and finance... Only then will we truly be able to engage culture and begin to change it.

Then we went to a restaurant in downtown Atlanta called Pittypat's Porch. Great southern cooking... fried chicken and ribs. The name of the place stems from Gone With the Wind. You should get it from Blockbuster sometime. It was great to get to hang with Michelle and Steven. I just wish Maria were here.

Anyway... it's been a good day. Check out more pics...

Catalyst - Session 004

What a great session! First, we started off with some worship (which has been incredible) but then it got really good (sounds bad I know). We broke three... yes three Guinness World Records today.

1. The Most People Blowing Bubbles at the Same Time
2. The Most Frisbees Thrown at the Same Time
3. The Most Bubbles Being Broken By Flying Frisbees at the Same Time

We took up an offering for the Rwanda Clean Water project. The project is to provide clean drinking water for every child in Rwanda. The average American spends $120 annually on bottled water. For just $4, you can provide clean water for a child in Rwanda for life. Check out the Fermi Project.

Then the speaker... Francis Chan. He pastors Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA. You've got to go to the website and check out how they are building their new sanctuary. Instead of spending the $60,000,000 on the campus they were planning, they scrapped the plans so they could give 50% to projects that impact the impoverished. They are building an outdoor (picture church in the rain) amphitheater instead for their main venue.

Anyway... he spoke on... it's hard to describe and sitting here writing it, it sounds so cliche' but in the moment... he spoke on true purpose. The fact that Almighty God... the Creator of the Universe knew me before I was born and that he has set me apart. Not just to work a job but to accomplish his purposes here on earth. We forget that so often and we need to be reminded that this calling we have is from the God of Heaven and Earth. He has called us to speak... to make things better... to bring life... We use the words "high calling" so flippantly to the point that we really don't believe it... it's the cliche' that I fear.

I'm not doing this session justice at all so please... when the CDs come out... go to Catalyst and at least get this session.

So here's what I want... check out the Cornerstone site and give us your thoughts on the outdoor church project and the heart behind it. Write something beside... "I think it's great..."

Catalyst - Session 001

Not gonna blog in depth but just some snippets as we go along...

Andy Stanley was talking about a leadership word that we tend to shy
away from. The word is power.

The question is: what do you do when it dawns on you that you are the
most powerful person in the room.

In the Upper Room, Jesus took off his symbols of power and chose to
leverage his power for the benefit of the others in the room.

They were stunned by his humility. They were uncomfortable with it.
They didn't know what to think or do. They liked him better on the
pedestal.

What a challenge... Are those that follow you as a leader... pastor...
teacher... parent... stunned by your humility?

God help me be more like your Son.

Catalyst (Almost) - Day 001

So the conference starts tomorrow but today has been a good day. It was great hanging with Steven and seeing where he does life now. I don't remember Atlanta being this cool. It's been probably 12 years since I was here last but it no longer feels like one big bucket of friend chicken. I mean it always just felt hot and greasy. But now, it's got some really sweet spots and Steven lives in Midtown which a really cool area. Anyway... I'm rambling. Looking forward to tomorrow... early start and all. Night...

Catalyst Here We Come...

I'm headed to Hotlanta tomorrow with Pastor Steve and Nick for the Injoy Catalyst Conference. The line up of speakers is great and we'll undoubtedly benefit from being there but I'm most stoked about the time with Pastor and Nick and of course, seeing my good friend Steven.

If you don't subscribe to the Catalyst podcast, you should. Their Groupzines have some good "next generation" leadership stuff as well. I'll be blogging from the conference and putting up some photos. Much love.

EDIT (18:10): Great news! My Dad will be joining us... can it get any better?!

EDIT (03 Oct - 16:17): Well, my Dad can't make it. So, I'm bummed but we'll still have a great time and already are. On an up note... Pastor's son-in-law, Steve will be joining us, so that should be good times.