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Don't Get Lulled In

Recently, gas in most parts of San Diego have dipped below $4 and paying close to $5 for the past few months we can get lulled into thinking what great deal this is.  Yet the current economic woes is still a reality for all of us.  Earlier today I took a picture of this banner hanging in front of a car dealership across the street from our church.  I have seen these kind of savings on jewelry, seasonal clothing items or discontinued merchandise but not for automobiles.

As a leader in a local church -- I still need to be mindful that weight of economic challenges are still very real in the life or our attendees.

Ben Toth (One on My Favorite People)

One of my favorite people at the church I serve at is Ben Toth. I first met Ben over 8 years ago when he was 13. His life to this point has been filled with struggles and at the same time great victories. I am always encouraged by the way he is taking steps to grow. Ben's outcome is not by accident -- it is a result of many factors including God's grace and incredible parenting. As I am friends with his parents Bryan and Becky -- I remember him sharing this one story about them that has stood out over the years. He said that he had never seen his parents fight in front of him or his brother and sister. Now he further shared that there were times he knew they were angry at one another, but they never let it manifest in front of him. He said having parents like that gives him the freedom to talk to them about "anything." Bryan & Becky should be proud! They have incredible son that is a great team member in our church here is his journey below.

Ministry Expo (A Look Back at the August 15 & 17 Weekend)

188 people, roughly 10 percent of our regular adult attendance expressed an interest in joining a serving team during our Ministry Expo this past weekend.  This was the application to the message "Significance Through Serving."

Contrary to what many may think, as a church grows larger, it needs to be more intentional and strategic in raising the value of serving amongst its church members than in its earlier seasons of life.

Here are a few reasons why:

1. Often as a church grows larger some of the visible reminders of the importance of serving are no longer present.  For example over time a church may move into a more permanent location -- no longer are the people there to set-up and tear down for people to see and remind them to pitch i and help.
2. Perception that these folks really got their act together -- they could not possibly need my help.
3. Assumption that somebody else will do it (that must be the case because there are a lot of people)

Does Anyone Still Use Film?

This past week on our family visit to the San Diego Zoo -- I noticed this concession stand on my way out. I wonder how much business they are doing?

Impressions of an Olympics Junkie

I am amongst the many who are contributing to San Diego being the number 1 city in terms of Olympic viewing.  I have been a long time Olympics fan.  It started in 1980 with me getting up at 7am to follow speed skater Eric Heiden win five gold medals, my favorite Olympian to this day, and of course watching the USA Hockey Team beat the then Soviet Union team 4-3.

Now after 1 week and I am not going to say how many hours of Olympic Viewing I have put in, but here are my impressions after the first week of competition.

• The incredible class, grace, humility and ...,  I could go on & on in superlatives, to describe how Mark Spitz congratulated Michael Phelps in matching his record of 7 gold medals in one competition.  Spitz, is definitely a man who has athletic achievements in proper perspective and respect to life as a whole.
• The Redeem Team -- as great a collection of NBA superstars that this team possesses -- the greatest thrill for me is watching Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K) lead this team -- it has well documented how these multi-million dollar superstars have the utmost respect for his leadership.
• The Opening Ceremony -- simply the greatest ever!  Nuff said.
• Dara Torres at 41 it is amazing to think she is old enough to be the mother of most of her competitors. (If she wins gold tonight in its own way, in my opinion just as big and achievement as Michael Phelps 7 or possibly 8 gold medals).
• Michael Phelps winning 7 gold medals. (it is one thing for an underdog to have unexpected win over the heavily favored -- it is another, and far more difficult in my opinion, to be expected to win and actually do it!)
• Nine-year old Lin Hao, who walked out with Yao Ming holding the Chinese Flag during the opening ceremony, exhibited one of the greatest acts of leadership I have heard of.
• The Chinese teams -- they are well known for their athletic prowess in gymnastics but they are making their present felts in so many fields where they once were not present.  There is a reason they are leading the medal count.

So what are your impressions so far -- I would love to hear it.

Looking Up

Yesterday as we were busily trying to get out of the house for a family outing,  running in out of the house gathering what we needed making sure we did not forget anything.  My son, Rhett, simply went and laid out in the drive way looking up in the sky.  He proceeded to describe the various images he was seeing in the clouds.

I learned a great lesson from Rhett ... 

That sometimes when things get crazy, I  need to take a deep breath, step back and simply look-up.

Psalm 121: 1,2
I lift up my eyes to the mountain -- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Opportunity Lost/Opportunity Gain

OPPORTUNITY LOST: Our family drinks a lot of water and other bottled beverages and we simply let our local waste management take our recycled products every Thursday -- over the years we have probably lost a decent amount of money as a result.

OPPORTUNITY GAIN: We have decided to make this a regular family routine.  And the gain is being able to put aside the money toward a fun purchase in the future.  However, more importantly this gives me on a regular basis to educate my children on the importance  of  recycling and the positive effects this can have on our environment.  So today we went to a local recycling center.

Weekend Update August 15 & 17

We want to know that our lives matter. The idea of being insignificant is just unacceptable to us. But what is the key to being significant. Only so many people can be famous, be rich or be at the top? Can ordinary people like us be truly significant? God’s answer is a huge YES! In fact significance is not found where most of us look for it.

August 1 & 3       Significance Through Serving

MY JOURNEY:
This weekend's service will also feature two inspiring video my journeys.
One is of the life of Veronica,  who serves on our Friday Ushers Team, her story leaves no excuse for not serving.
Second, is of the life of Ben, a young man who serves in our middle school ministry, his story shows how our challenging circumstances in our life can be redeemed for God's purposes.

MUSIC:
We will be doing a great run of worship songs this weekend including favorites: Open Skies, We Are Hungry, You Are My Strength, Take All of Me & The Stand. 

(Remember you can download each of these songs from the Itunes music store. For more information please go to the Journey website www.journeycommunitychurch.org)

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING:
1. For God to really work through all the service elements (message, music, staging, technical arts, videos)
2. Invitations would be continually made to those in our spheres of influence.
3. Many who are not involved in a ministry would take advantage of the Ministry Expo and sign up for a team this weekend.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY:
THE MINISTRY EXPO:  If you are currently not serving in some capacity or are not on a team.  This weekend's Ministry Expo is just for you.  In the big white tent all the ministry teams will be present for you to get more information on the respective teams and to sign up.  Please make plans to stick around a little after service.

BAPTISM ORIENTATION: If you plan to be baptized on September 7 you must attend the baptism orientation taking place in the upper riser area immediately after service.

LOOKING AHEAD:
Part 4 of Significant with the message "Significance Through Difference"

A Memorial Service for Two People

Something very unique happened at this service, a real first in my over 15 years of pastoral ministry. I ended up doing a memorial service for two people at the same time.

On Saturday I presided over a memorial service for a Journey Community Church member Willie Massie.  For the first 44 years of his life -- it was lived as best as we know without God's active role in his life.  He was known by most of his close friends and neighbors as Doug, which is his middle name.  While preparing the service with some of these friends they would often apologize when they referred to him as Doug -- saying, "you knew him as Willie."

Three years ago Willie started attending Journey and God began to do to a transforming work in his life.  He got involved in our men's group, the choir and was a greeter, during our then 10:30 service.  He was later baptized in June 2006. The Willie I knew and all of us here at Journey knew, was a humble servant with a quiet disposition.  One of my favorite moments in my brief interactions with him was during a prayer meeting, earlier this year,  when our teaching pastor asked if any of us had a prayer prompting that we would like to share.  Willie stood up and shared one of the most genuine and beautiful prayers I have ever heard.  I was so moved by it -- I requested a copy of it so I could share it on my blog.  (For Willie's prayer click here.)  The work God was doing in his life was significant --his friends and neighbors all noticed the changes that began taking place in his life.

During the service I had various friends share about Willie's life and as best as possible I had them share in chronological order of Willie's life.  So the first three people who shared referred to him as Doug and the other three, who knew him through church, referred to him as Willie.

At the end of the service one of Willie's relatives who had not much contact with him for several years asked, "is that true what you in the churched share about him? because if it is -- I never knew that man."  She continued by saying. "it is as if you did memorial service for two different people."

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."  (II Corinthians 5:17)

Why People Don't Attend the Leadership Summit

Journey Community Church teaching pastor Ed Noble in a recent blog post of his shared some of his learnings from the 2008 Leadership Summit concluding his thoughts by sharing the dates for the 2009 Summit and declaring that to miss it, would be a mistake.

For most people who pass up incredible learning opportunities like the Leadership Summit they do so because they mistakenly think the following:

They mistakenly think ...

They have heard this leadership stuff before. 
The truth is that leaders are learners and all of us need to continually refreshing and refueling our thinking and learning efforts. It is ignorant to think that a lesson learned 20 or even 3 years ago still has the same application in this ever changing world today. One of the most impressive aspects of the summit sessions is when you hear the various speakers refer to one another sessions and what they got out of it.

They cannot afford it. 
Now this no laughing matter. At our site this year and many other sites across the nations noted that finances was one of the main barriers toward churches bringing smaller teams than usual or not being able to attend at all.  Yet the truth is you can't afford not to.  We simply cannot forsake putting resources toward things that can have a lasting, kingdom oriented impact.  For many of us we drink 4 to 5 lattes a week at $4.00 a cup.  Cutting back one cup a week would cover your registration cost.

They do not have the time.
The truth is we all have the same 24 hours in a day, so I would challenge anyone with this thinking that it is not that you don't have enough time, it is more than likely is that you don't have the right priorities.  People make time for is important.  And if Leadership Development is important you will make the time. And if you believe you are in a role where you lead and serve others - - they deserve a better you.  A you that is taking the time to grow their leadership.

They will watch it later on DVD. 
Yeah Right.  The truth is if you did not have time to watch it before with the structure of a set schedule and the motivation of others to engage in this learning experience what makes you think you will be self-motivated enough and disciplined enough to watch the sessions on your own.  I am convinced that more and more I pay money to stay put and sit.  Paying a conference fee forces me to take the time and stay engaged in an experience like the Summit.

They have attended the Leadership Summit in the past.
The truth is the Willow Creek Association (who puts on the event) is committed to bringing the freshes learnings in leadership that includes new material every year from a new faculty of speakers from wide range of influences.  And most people who have attended multiple years say that the most current summit was the best yet. 

So make plans to attend next year August 6 & 7 2009.  See you there!

Journey Summit Team: a Solid Gold Hit!

Serving as a Leadership Summit host site for five years there is one highlight that always stands out.  It is the incredible volunteer serving team that helps put on the event!  We have more than 60 volunteers that take as many as four vacation days to help at this event. Though the event is two days (Thursday & Friday) they often take the day before off to help with prep and up until this year the event had Saturday sessions.

The amazing thing is that many, way more than half, have served every year we have hosted.  In addition we do absolutely no formal recruiting for the event and actually have had to turn away help.  We simply send the team a reminder annually.

One of the lead roles on the Summit Team -- is the volunteer central team.  The leader of that team is responsible for creating a space for all team members to be refreshed (through meals, refreshments and a relaxing environment) and for providing all the latest information that team members would need throughout the day.  Over the years the leaders of these teams have come up with creative themes to celebrate and highlight great examples of servant-hood and service.  This year took on a retro-album theme with the way of expressing or communicating an "at a boy or at a girl" or a praise.

Two Surprises from the Leadership Summit

I hope to capture some of my thoughts more fully on the impact that this year's Leadership Summit is having on my own leadership and life in the next few days, but for now here are two surprises that stood out to me from day 1.

First at the conclusion of session 2 featuring Gary Haugen -- Willow Creek Community Church vocalist Helena McNeil sang an incredible song by one of my favorite singer/songwriters Sara Groves.  The song was "I Saw What I Saw" from the album Tell Me What You Know.  It was incredibly moving piece with b-roll showing the children rescued out of bondage and slavery through the ministry of the International Justice Mission (IJM)

The second surprise came at the beginning of session 3 featuring Bill George.  As a lead into that session, via video, CNN news commentator and former speech writer for Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton, David Gergen did the introduction for Bill George.  Gergen has written an incredible book on leadership called Eyewitness to Power.  I was particularly encouraged because judging by what was presented in his intro it appears as if David Gergen has a faith component to his life.

Venti x 4!

Last night I got only a few hours sleep.  So to get through and stay engaged during day one of the Leadership Summit I set a personal record of drinking four Venti cups of coffee from Starbucks.  The first three came in 2 hour intervals:  First cup 6:30am, Second cup 8:30am (thanks Evonn), Third cup 10:30am (thanks Kathie) and to tie me over until the Fourth cup at 2pm (thanks Evonn again) -- two Diet Cokes.

Hopefully tomorrow will require no more than two cups.

Breaking in a New Moleskine Journal

Today is an exciting day because I get to break in a new Moleskine Journal. And I can't think of better way than filling it with notes from the sessions of the Leadership Summit.  I have already filled a few pages of incredible notes from Bill Hybels opening session.

As this is my first soft back edition -- I need to take this in.  It will probably a few months before I will be able to do this again.

The San Diego Leadership Summit Team

Where the real work is done.  This is the San Diego Summit Site serving team getting here at literally the crack of dawn to prepare and the serve the guest who will be attending this incredible leadership training event over the next two days.

Weekend Update August 8 & 10

We want to know that our lives matter. The idea of being insignificant is just unacceptable to us. But what is the key to being significant. Only so many people can be famous, be rich or be at the top? Can ordinary people like us be truly significant? God’s answer is a huge YES! In fact significance is not found where most of us look for it.

August 1 & 3       Significance Through Secrecy

Also we will see Harry Humbledink exhibit for us what it means to live a life of significance through secret acts of goodness.

MUSIC:
We will be doing a great run of worship songs this weekend including favorites: Everlasting God, Let Your Glory Fall, Jesus All for Jesus and You Are My Strength.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING:
1. In the midst of a short prep week and short turn around in view of our hosting the Leadership Summit -- for grace in these matters and that excellence would not be compromised in any way.
2. For the invite factor to continue to be high with our church members continually reaching out to their un-churched friends.
3. For God to really work through all the service elements (message, music, staging, technical arts, videos)
4. For our church would truly find significance through giving their lives away.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY:
The Leadership Summit: You are still able to attend this incredible 2-day event starting on Thursday August 7 -- we will be taking walk in registrations.

The Fall Weekend Guide: this is a great resource tool equip you in your inviting efforts -- copies are available at Guest Services.

Click HERE for a LOOK BACK at a highlight from last weekend's services.

What Calm Before the Storm?

Today is prep day for the Leadership Summit where signs are put up; volunteer central is set up; snacks for breaks are picked up, decorations are being arranged, if you can name it it is being done.  The team is doing an incredible job!  At this point they are breaking for lunch two hours ahead of schedule!
Like most people where did my eyes go to?  My name.

There is a cliche: "the calm before the storm."  And as great as things are progressing it is not without challenges.  Earlier this week our head usher had to step down from his responsibilities because his father passed away and he had to fly out to Virginia.  Then today the leader of our Conference Information Center had a death occur in her family this morning and now is unable to participate. 

Fortunately we have an incredible On-site Event Manager(OEM), Alex Layson, that got two people to step up into these roles.  This is one of the incredible benefits of having a serving team that has been together for the five years we have been hosting the summit.

In addition we do no recruiting for this event and have to actually turn away help.

How I Prepare for the Leadership Summit

Ephesians 5:15,16 (ESV) says, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." 

I believe the one area the enemy of our souls would love to see neglected and thwarted all together is time invested toward events and practices that exponentially move us forward in our leadership and in our overall relationship with God.  Such an event is the Leadership Summit taking place this Thursday and Friday August 7 & 8.  I believe it is the subtle distractions that derail us from what potentially good be a life-changing experience.  I have attended 10 of the 12 Leadership Summits to date and have learned a few things to leverage this learning experience to its maximum potential.

So here is how I prepare for the Leadership Summit:

1. Pray - for a comprehensive list on how to pray for the summit click here.
2. Prepare in advance by reading books by the speakers.  For my Summit reading list click here.
3. Plan with extra fervor.  I mean in all areas of your life.  If you have people watching the kids make sure they are well equipped with enough food, changes of clothes, activities to do etc., etc.-- I would hate to think that a critical moment in a session would be interrupted by my mom calling me because she does not know where the diapers are.  If you are taking time off work, leave clear instructions on who is in charge of specific responsibilities, lay out clear parameters to what necessitates an interruption and have back up plans already in place.
4. Put on the calendar now a time to re-engage with leaders to process learnings together.
5. Resist the temptation to utilize breaks to check in with the office or catch up on work -- some of the best learnings come from conversations with other attendees immediately following a session.
6. Structure your life around on-going, year round leadership development  -- I believe this event is leveraged fully when it serves as a catalyst to an overall leadership growth plan.
7. Treasure your intellectual capital and learnings.  You receive a great conference notebook when you attend -- I personally take notes in a Moleskine journal.

A Look Back at the August 1 & 3 Weekend (the Announcements)

This will probably be a one-time deal where I include the announcements as the portion of the service to look back at this past weekend.  However, at the prodding of our teaching pastor, Ed Noble, I shared  this past weekend during the announcements about how a Journey ministry team member passed away about 10 days ago.

The reason for sharing this particular story is because he felt it would encourage and envision our church about continually creating the kind of church  where the lost and broken, which I said "we all are", can seek God and move toward wholeness -- which was the case of Willie Massie.  For more on Willie's life check out Alex Layson's LIT blog post In Memory.

Willie's life and story reminds me afresh of God's grace in our lives -- though we miss him dearly --we at the same time rejoice that he is experiencing fullness of joy.

How to Pray for the Leadership Summit

This Thursday & Friday August 7 & 8 Journey Community Church, for the 5th time, will serving as the San Diego host-site for the Leadership Summit.  I cannot fully describe the exponential impact this conference can have in the lives of individual leaders, their church and their spheres of influence. 

So please pray for the following, that ...

1. Every Leadership Summit attendee in San Diego, across the United States and in Canada will come with un-distracted & open hearts and minds with an attitude and spirit to learn.
2. God would anoint each summit speaker in their presentation and in the content that they present. 
3. All the programming elements (music, videos, etc.) would fit in well with overall session themes and be executed with excellence. 
4. Local Summit Site hosts will have a real sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and what is taking place in the room. (please pray for me specifically as I serve as the host at our site)
5. On the technical side of things that their will no challenges here or in South Barrington (where the L.S. Is broadcast from) in the satellite transmission. 
6. Everyone of the summit serving team members would serve with passion and present the highest level of customer service. 
7. There will be many walk-up registrations — that there will be a lot of last minute promptings to attend. 
8. Churches will have a vision for leadership development as a year round process and also make the summit an annual non-negotiable. 
9. Those attending, who are un-churched, spiritually seeking and/or irreligious, would sense God’s movement in their lives and pursue God more fully. 
10. Churches will have significant takeaways and begin to implement learnings to help them reach their redemptive potential.