Yesterday’s baptism rocked!

The range of testimonies was unbelievable …

Who were a few of the people baptised yesterday, you may ask?  Well, for starters … a lesbian, a prescription drug abuser, a nightclub bouncer, several others and … oh yeah … two 7 year-olds (Shardai and my son Silas).  Words CAN NOT express the joy in my heart as we celebrated God’s amazing work in the lives of His people.  He loves us so much and I’m super thankful to live with that understanding in my heart.

Tell everyone you come in contact with to visit our church and experience God for themselves.  God will save ANYBODY!

Here you go …

• yesterday was an awesome day for our church on sooooooooooooo many levels
• guests are always a good sign
• 2nd and 3rd time guests are a REALLY good sign
• great attendance is a good sign
• changed lives are a good sign
• people getting baptized is a good sign (8 yesterday alone with more to come) … I can’t wait for the video
• SUPER HIGH energy in both services
• Jenifer Beckham preached down the house
• I love Anthony and Jenifer Beckham dearly - TRUELY GREAT PEOPLE WITH GREAT VISION
• Trying to figure out how to keep momentum going through March
• I had 3 guests with me yesterday - My neighbors - THIS SET MY DAY OFF!
• I’ll post more in a second about the changed lives at our church.
• We ran out of food before the start of the second worship experience - Only coffee … More and more people are showing up to fellowship each week - We gotta up our donut count next Sunday!
• Lots of people stepping up to serve - This is huge!
• If you’re not serving, why not?  Go here to email me or Chris … Let’s impact our community for Christ!

If we’ll stay out of God’s way, the Holy Spirit will speak to people about their sin.  Yes, its our job to lovingly speak the truth, but only when words are necessary.  The rest of the time we should lovingly LIVE the truth.  People don’t need our opinions, they need the love of God expressed through our lives.

People continue to change their lives at our church - People who we don’t even know are struggling with certain issues.  Its truly amazing to hear and experience.  These people experience God’s love and make course corrections as He leads.  Often, I don’t even know about an issue that they’re leaving behind them.  God simply speaks to them and they obey Him.

Too often we (as Christians) want to tell everyone what they are doing wrong and how they need to quit this and begin that - especially as it relates to people who aggravate us.  Is there a time to confront people about their sin?  Of course.  But that isn’t EVERYTIME we see them!  Are you getting this?

Love people with reckless abandon.  That’s what my buddy says over here.  I love this.  When we truly love people, we’ll share with them how we feel about certain things and follow up with prayer.

My thought on this is pretty simple … Pray about a person’s problems more than you speak to them about their problems.  In fact, pray a lot more about their problems than you speak to them about them.  Here’s what we do - Pray for people - Pray some more - Speak the truth to them in love - Pray some more and watch God perform miracles in their lives.  Get out of God’s way and let Him do his job!

Enough ranting, I’ve got people to pray for.

Great day Sunday … Here are my thoughts …

• Missing soprano - I only know this becasue my wife is the worship pastor - However the team did terrific and made the necessary changes.
• Huge crowds in both services.  There were lots of cars as I pulled up or the first worship experience.
• Even though it was an awesome day, the preaching felt like ‘running through sugar sand’ to me.  The second worship experience was a lot easier to preach in.  What’s up with that?
• Our ladies’ came back charged from the Ladies’ meeting in Titusville yesterday.  Their energy was encouraging.
• More stories of life change flood our office.  People tell me all the time what God is doing in their lives as a result of their pursuit of God.  THIS NEVER GETS OLD.
• My buddy, Keith Enfinger was at church this morning.  Great to reconnect afterward.
• Lots of folks mentioned the message was for them.  Wow, and this whole time I thought it was just for me.
• I preach at myself every Sunday - I tell people if they get anything out of it, good for them!
• No video on screen this week … just media … I look forward to having that back up next Sunday.

See you later.

NEVER allow the pursuit of what’s next to hide the fact you’re running from what’s now.

This guy totally blesses my life … a mentor I’ve never met.  Read this blog and grow.

Sadly, I became aware of a person who has been offended at me this morning.  For the rest of this post, I’ll simply refer to this person as ‘this person.’ I wasn’t even aware of it.  Since this person left our church, I’ve seen them a couple of times out in public and noticed they were really short with me … like really short.  Although I’m sensitive, I’m hard to offend, so when people act that way, I usually ignore it.  Now, bear in mind that when this person left our church, they reasoned with me that they needed to attend a church that had a worship experience that was more fitting to their schedule, like on a Saturday night - no problem.  This was reality … as I understood it at least.

Today when I saw this person, the short, quick, uninterested communication happened again.  The odd thing is that twice in the last couple of weeks, I’ve been led to pray for this person and their family.  I followed this person outside and asked them what was wrong.  This person told me how I had offended and proceeded to tell me how life had dealt some difficult blows since they left our church.  I must say I have to fight frustration at people when they don’t communicate more clearly to me how they feel, especially when you do care about them and their well-being … At any rate, here are a few scriptures to consider that have helped me.

Matthew 18:15-17 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. ¹⁶ But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. ¹⁷ If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

Don’t treat them like a pagan first, try to work it out

Matthew 5:23-24 ²³So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, ²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.

Everyone involved is responsible to work toward reconciliation when offenses are discovered.

Proverbs 18:19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.  Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

The battle for your friendship will be difficult and exhausting.  Stay prayed up and commit to a process that may not be quick!

There’s more but the post would be too long and probably offend someone.

At the end of the day today, will you be able to say you’ve spent your time well?

So far today, I’ve …

• prayed
• fought
• struggled
• read the Bible
• talked w/ my staff
• play-fought with my wife
• hugged Cher after our ‘tussle’
• kissed my son on the cheek and hugged him tight
• enjoyed Starbucks iced decaf - Oh yeah!
• spoke 1/2 hour with a pastor of a church 3 times our size
• prayed for that same pastor

• spend 3 hours with two great men … Russell Pace and Jim Davis
• eat lunch
• visit the sick, lay hands on them and pray the prayer of faith
• hit the office for a minute or two
• pick up my son
• play ball with my son and nephews
• practice for my b-ball game this evening w/ Manni Lherisse (my awesome coach)
• eat dinner
• hit up the church softball game
• play my b-ball game
• eat a snack
• put Silas to bed
• read the word again
• watch UFC or Heroes
• pray
• spend time with Cher if she’s back from her movie
• go to bed.

I found some interesting stats here.

If only 8% of people succeed in achieving their resolutions, what about the rest of us?  This guy says the vast majority have infrequent success or every other year and that 24% of us NEVER succeed and have fail on every resolution every year.  He also said the following …

According to him, success with your resolutions means nothing in regard to your own personal level of happiness.  Its scary to think that I could work my rear-end off and still be miserable in life.  That’s why I want to set goals that bring true happiness … Goals that help me accomplish God’s will for my life.

Don’t set stupid goals.  What I mean by that are goals that have everything to do with SELF and nothing to do with GOD.  Set goals that the Holy Spirit is leading you to set, or that scripture clearly outlines for your life.  God wants you to be healthy, have a good family, be a better husband, live a prosperous life, give more to hurting people, etc.  But more than anything, we should want with specificity what God wants for us.  What are your resolutions this year?  Is there a chance you might need to alter them a little?

Great day …

• Awesome worship.
• I’m still overwhelmed that our church is both multi-cultural AND multi-generational!
• Big day in 2 weeks
• We finished the year in the black with our finances.  I can’t begin to say how thankful I am for that!
• Today, I preached one of the easiest and most difficult messages of my life …
• Altar ministry was life-impacting.
• I thank God for www.cinemaworldonline.com … These guys are great hosts.
• I love the song, “Say So” … We began it with the intro from “China Grove” by ”The Doobie Brothers” - SO FUN!
• A miracle happened in our church this week … A restoration to relationship with God of mamouth proportions … I can’t wait for YOU to hear the testimony.
• I love to see gangstas and thugs who cry out to God for help in the altar
• I’m looking forward to the last week of this series … We’re gonna have a blast!
• I’m tired … see you this week!

Eph. 6:10 - “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

What are you dealing with that’s bigger than that?  This can be your best year EVER.  Believe that!

Tonight, we had some couples over along with my parents and brother’s family.  Papa Gant came over also.  We ate chili, chicken salad sandwiches on Raisin Cinnamon Bread and then chocolate cherry cake.  I made oreo milkshakes for 3 of my buddies.

After that, we loaded up in the church van and went around to look at Christmas lights.  Check out the link below.  These exterior lights have got to be the sickest lights in Brevard county.  Thanks to Eric Austin for telling me about them.

• Kinda late, but I need to share a couple of really cool things.
• We had lots of guests again … Gotta love that.
• Christmas carols rocked this Sunday … SERIOUSLY!
• Our kids program rocked as well … My son hated his ’shepherd’s outfit’ because he kept tripping over it.
• Our 2 and 3 year old sheep were amazing.
• Sal Alemeny, Eden Torres and Maria Cintron - These kids can flat sing.
• I still laugh about mentioning ‘hemroids’ in my message.
• Amazing blessing for me Sunday … Preaching the genealogies in Mathew 1.  Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba make for some FUN preaching.  Not to mention those related to evil Athaliah whose names were left out by the heathen tax collector turned Christ-follower.  Get the CD!
• Jessica Kidd and Rachel did a great job!
• Not the highest Christmas attendance ever, but everything was high energy anyhow.
• I’m looking forward to the greatest year we’ve ever experienced … I’m praying for 2010 to be our best year to date.  Pray with and for me.
• 2010 scripture … Matthew 19:26 “With men these things are impossible, but with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!”

Jesus overcame His past.  Wait a second, Jesus didn’t have a past, He was perfect.  Yes, He was perfect and you’re right in believing that He never sinned.  That’s why I can’t wait to preach Sunday.  I’ll be dealing with His terrible ancestors … the genealogies in Matthew 1.  Boring, right?  WRONG! There are four women in Jesus’ ancestry that are going to blow your mind if you’ve not read about them.  How did they get there?  God’s grace.  That’s the reason a tax collector named Matthew could write the first of four gospels, not to mention the first book of the New Testament.

There is nothing you can’t overcome, regardless of how ugly or sordid your circumstances are.  Don’t believe me yet?  Be at www.cinemaworldonline.com on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. for one of our exciting worship experiences and YOU WILL FIND OUT just how awesome God’s grace and power are.

How often have you cried out to God wishing you could accomplish more?  Influence more?  Have more?  If you’re like most people I know who want to do anything for God, you’ve pondered these thoughts, probably often.

I read the following on Monday and haven’t been able to forget it.  ” … Life is more than the things we actually accomplish.  It also includes the things we set in motion.” We usually look behind us for signs of having made a difference.  The problem is that we fail to remember our lives have intersected with countless people on whom we’ve had an impact, often with great significance.

We’re not always as bad as the enemy wants us to believe.  He wants us to believe we’re always ‘this or that.’  But truthfully speaking, we don’t always procrastinate, or always miss the opportunity.  We don’t always screw up, miss the important appointment and we aren’t always jacking stuff up.  That’s right, sometimes we’re actually hitting the nail on the head.  Sadly, we are often our own worst enemy pharisee.  Remember, there are a vast amount of things that are happening today BECAUSE OF YOU.  You have set some things in motion that you may never know about until Heaven.  But, this shouldn’t just change how we feel about the past.  It should affect how we move into the future.  Here are my quick thoughts …

1. You may not see immediate results for everything you initiate.  One plants, one waters, but the Holy Spirit brings the increase.  Pharisees (often unknowingly) think they can do it all.
2. You shouldn’t judge people according to their individual accomplishments, including yourself.  No where does the Bible say you are supposed to see immediate results for everything you initiate.  Its not about you anyhow, right Mr./Mrs. Pharisee?!
3. You see more positive when you look at what God is doing through the lens of everyone’s effort as opposed to just your own.  Pharisees aren’t sure others are even saved but we know better than that.

Tonight, I told Silas I loved him.  He replied that he loved me too and that he would still love me when he was a teenager ending with, “Dad, I’ll even love you when I’m your age.”  He was basically saying, “Dad, I’ll always love you.”

This reminded me of Jeremiah 31:3.  The NLT sounds like this … “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.  With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”  Generally speaking, most people you know only love you until you break their favorite vase or coffee mug.  But God’s love is altogether different.

Be encouraged!  You could never do anything to make God love you less.  However, you could also never do anything to make God love you more.  His love is perfect.  His love is everlasting.  His love is unfailing.  His love is drawing you toward Him as you read these words.  Beer breath and all.  Judgmental finger-pointing as well.  He loves you when YOU KNOW NOBODY ELSE WOULD.

In relation to how much God loves us, we have no clue just how unspeakably wonderful His love really is.  I’ll sleep soundly tonight after reflecting on Jeremiah’s words.

Although some readers will want to, don’t judge it … just read it here and be blessed!

Rick Warren said earlier this year in a forum of 100 pastors something to the effect of … “Guys, everybody knows the secret to church growth is changed lives.”  Well, actually, everybody DOESN’T know.  The truth is, we (pastors) are bombarded with material telling us the next new church growth secret all the time.  If Rick Warren is right, and I believe he is, it sure changes a lot of what we pastors tend to focus on.  No, I don’t mean #’s either.  I actually believe we should focus on #’s - like how many were saved this year as a result of us coming together for an hour and a half each week as opposed to how many we had at our quarterly big day.  Rick Warren’s statement seems so simple.  I know what they say about things that sound too good to be true but I really think he is on to something profound here.  What say you?

I’m blogging right now (gotta love AT&T’s air card) from within the Holy Land Experience here in beautiful Orlando, FL.  Since my ankle is still hurting from last Sunday’s basketball romp, I have it propped up here in the cafe.  I must say its hard not to run over to Cheesecake Factory being this close and all.  Anyway, this place is sooooooooo cool.  I’ve really enjoyed it thus far as well Cher, my son Silas and the other 20 or so people that are visiting with us today from www.discoverlifechurch.tv.  I actually saw Matt Crouch here earlier.  I didn’t speak to him, but I do appreciate what TBN is accomplishing with this crazy cool ministry.  If you haven’t been yet, you need to come and check this out soon.  You’ll be glad you did.

• You are blessed with pain.
• Prayer during altar time was awesome … not a normal occurrence but absolutely wonderful.
• EVERYONE is struggling with a painful circumstance … period.
• I had a couple of people tell me today how God really came through for them this week.  I love to hear that.
• Lunch with the Roselle’s was a blast.  You never know where the conversation will go
• Not too many guests today, but we did have 2-3 3rd time families.
• Hard to believe how close Christmas is.
• I love Christmas carols.
• I’m looking forward to our Christmas Dinner tonight at the “Hilto Rialton” as Pastor Chris said … Its actually Hilton Rialto.
• I’m bummed that I didn’t get to experience Rock The Silence’ ministry this morning.
• Don Noren is making an AWESOME impact with Home/Hospital Visitation ministry.  He did a great job on the video this morning.  If I were attending www.discoverlifechurch.tv, I’d definitely want to be in that ministry.
• We now have 4 Sound Technicians.  These folks make magic happen every week.
• We have people who have made www.discoverlifechurch.tv their church home simply because of the ministry of our Ushers.  Way to go, Darlene Fay and team.  That’s what I’m talking about.
• I’m looking forward to serving people this week.

I have a Saturday preaching dilemma.  No, I AM NOT looking for a message for tomorrow’s worship experiences.  I finished my message Wednesday of this week.  However, I have a ton of information I want to share every week and a few hours ago I asked myself a question as I was reviewing my message that has plagued me ever since … How much of tomorrow’s message is for the congregation and how much of it is for me and me alone?

I can’t possibly share everything that God shows me each week, at least not in 35 minutes.  I simply want to make sure every word I speak tomorrow is for tomorrow and every listener present.

Not sure how it will play out specifically.  I know that God will give me direction.  I’ll let you know when I blog Sunday Unravelled.

I’m so thankful for the faithful and generous partners of www.discoverlifechurch.tv.  While churches are struggling everywhere to meet budget, God has sovereignly blessed in 2009.  Regarding our 2010 budget meeting, all went well … Our treasurer did a lot of work beforehand that helped tremendously - Thank God!  After I got home tonight, I read something John Maxwell twittered.  ”To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness. -Bertrand Russell.”

So true, especially sitting in a budget meeting dealing with various requests from people who genuinely believe what they want will make a tremendous impact on the world they serve.  We will never get everything we want here in this life.  There will always be something missing … a movie we missed, a game we lost, a promotion on the job, whatever.  We simply don’t get it all.  Then again, if we did get everything we wanted in life, who’d want to go to Heaven, right?

Lacking isn’t losing.  Sometimes lacking something in life makes you understand how truly blessed you are to have what you do.  For the 25 year old bachelor sitting at home registering on eharmony.com after a bad breakup, there’s a 65 year old whose never even held a woman’s hand.  For the man who didn’t get the promotion this week, there’s a hundred others who haven’t had a steady paycheck in months.

Sometimes, to be truly happy, we’ve got to let go of what we wish we had in order to thank God for what we have.  If you lack something today, don’t fret.  This is the test of how happy you are with what you have.  How happy are you?  You’re more blessed than you might recognize.

Sunday Unravelled

• I spoke on change today … specifically, ‘change as a blessing.’
• My favorite message to preach in this series was the first one.
• Cher was back in the worship experience today, however only during the worship sets.  She then returns to the children’s ministry to lead the remainder of the experience.
• Planning our budget meeting for Tuesday evening.
• Attending a church growth seminar tomorrow night in Tampa, FL with Dr. Owen Weston.
• If I haven’t mentioned it yet, I love my new macbook.
• The air card rocks … but, it was stolen over the weekend … my new one will be in on Tuesday or Thursday.
• My brother and his church celebrated their first weekend in a new facility … I’ve seen it and it is QUITE nice!  Makes me look forward to moving into our new facility on Eau Gallie Blvd.
• We had lots of guests again today … 1st, 2nd and 3rd timers.
• One of our 1st-time guests today actually attended my youth church, “Jacob’s Well” around 15-18 years ago.  It still seems like yesterday.
• You can change without growing, but you can’t grow without changing.  What’s God changing in you?
• I’m looking forward to a very busy week - This week’s agenda ~ add value to others and encourage our local church … not to mention 4 or 5 very important meetings related to the future of www.discoverlifechurch.tv.
• I’m going to play ball with Pastor Chris and Manni Lherisse now - I plan on dominating tonight, which will be a change
• I’m praying for you all to have the best week of your lives.  OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT!

I can’t leave this thought alone …

I’m finishing a book this month entitled, Never Eat Alone which has once again made me think about who I spend the bulk of my time with.  Today, I had lunch with one of the godliest men I know … Russell Pace.  Pastor Chris was also there - Ha!  We had a great time hanging out.  I was so blessed to spend my lunch with them.  Two things I take away from my time with these guys are; 1) Humility and 2) Longevity.  Russell Pace has amazing character and integrity.  He sincerely looks to hear from God as to what he can change about himself, how he can be more like Christ.  He and his amazing wife have attended the church I pastor nearly 3 X’s the length of time I’ve been here.  They’ve not only shown that they have a great attitude, but they have exemplified longevity unlike the vast majority.  Pastor Chris also has a humble attitude and longevity.  He’s been with me for about 7 years or so and continues to take things off of me as we progress as a church.  Through the good and bad, these guys have been with me, walking through the fire when necessary.  They are not ‘fair weather” friends.

Now let me be clear … There are MANY, MANY more things that I appreciate about them, but for this blog I’ve mentioned just two.  My life is better today because of the time I spent with Elder Russell Pace and Pastor Chris.  These guys have impacted my life today in an extremely positive way.  Don’t let your schedule, other people’s schedules and definitely not other people’s priorities keep you from those who are your strongest supporters and encouragers.  I’m smarter, stronger, and more successful today because of their impact on my thinking.

Bottom Line - As we approach Christmas and the new year, protect yourself by spending the right amount of time with ‘right’ people - the ones who love you and are behind you.  You need them more than you realize and you need them more often than you realize.  Never forget how important the ‘right’ people are to you.  Make them a priority and schedule interactions with them often.  You will reach more people for Christ as a result!

• Cher will be back next week - Her team has been amazing!
• Children’s ministry is picking up - We even have men stepping up to serve
• Christmas music begins next week during, before, in between and after worship experiences - Although I’ve been listening to it in my house and car for about two weeks!
• I enjoyed preaching.  I thank God for the opportunity.  I am so blessed to share and express my heart to people this way - I’m connected to DL peeps more than anyone else.
• Looking forward to our upcoming Christmas Banquet.
• Great attendance.
• Lots of guests.
• Positive feedback makes me smile.
• Negative feedback makes me smile, too.
• Negative people make me hurl!
• I wish I wasn’t ever negative - Sometimes I make myself hurl!
• Overall, just an awesome day.

Okay, so here they are … 10 things I’ll do different in the next decade of ministry here at www.discoverlifechurch.tv …

1. Pay closer attention to the details … not their correction/management, just recognition and direction.
2. Recognize God never experiences an emergency - If you don’t know this, everything will make you lose your cool!
3. Be more relational than confrontational.  I don’t have any problem confronting people.  I do sometimes have a problem making connections with people.  I’m very passive/aggressive (I don’t mess with anyone unless they get in my grill) and an introvert so this one will really be a challenge.
4. Spend more time with my family.  This one should be the easiest to execute.  Hanging out with my wife and son is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PASTIME.  That’s not to say there aren’t ever difficult moments, but those moments happen less frequently and are much shorter on average as we mature.  Life is good.
5. Spend more time w/ my leaders.
6. Read more - not necessarily books.  I want to consistently read more blogs of pastors and churches that are double the size of our church.
7. Prepare/plan relentlessly.  Live according to my life strategy.
8. Delegate everything possible.
9. Encourage and add value to others.
10. Believe for the impossible.  Pray fervently, honestly, privately, publicly and most importantly … DAILY!  Jack Graham says, “You’ll never pray everywhere until you pray somewhere.”  Said another way, you’ll never pray all the time until you decide to pray sometime!

These are long term goals and more than likely they will need to be tweaked periodically - Please pray for me!

10 Year Anniversary - Those words are difficult to even say … Seriously 10 years … I must be getting old.  , Cher and I celebrated with our church family our time together for a decade.  Bishop Jimmy Smith participated in the weekend, preaching for us on Sunday morning and speaking to our leadeship on Sunday evening.  We were tremendously impacted and and simply want to say thankyou to each and everyone who played a part in making it so very special.  Cher and I are so blessed and privileged to be here and serve God and you all as Lead Pastors of www.discoverlifechurch.tv.  We love you.

For a list of the things I plan to do different over the next 10 years, go here! 

Jim Collins said, “People aren’t your greatest asset, the right people are.”  I’ve taken some time this week to really contemplate that.  Who are the right people in our lives right now?  That will differ between you and I.  Its pretty simple for me … Of course, God first and foremost … Then my wife, son and family … After that things get a little difficult …

Next in line for me would have to be the people who are helping me reach those next in line after them (the unchurched).  Sound confusing?  People who believe in the vision God has set in front of our local congregation are so important to me.  Those of you in this category are ministry multipliers and I love you for it.  Thanks to all the ‘right people’ in my life.  I thank God for you and look forward to all that we can accomplish together as God leads our steps.  I never want to neglect those who are a fervent part of all we’re doing here at www.discoverlifechurch.tv.

Make sure you know who the ‘right people’ in your life are.  If not, you’re probably neglecting them.

About 8 months ago, my staff informed me that we had overages on our copier … again?!  I was ticked.  I knew (at least I thought) exactly what I needed to do - I called the copy company and changed the codes so my staff would have to ask me every time they needed to copy and/or print something.  Now I know you’ll agree that this was insanely ingenious … a management concept only the brightest of rising star pastors {insert sarcasm here} could compose - yeah, not exactly.

Unfortunately, my plan worked … my staff called me every other minute!  I became the copy/print policeman.  I feel so lame telling this, but as my newly-saved-bouncer-friend would say, it do what it do (it is what it is).

Check this out.  These guys say that culture is the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization.  NEWS FLASH - even the best of systems can’t fully manage human capacity to mess stuff up.  In other words, you can’t write a perfect, ‘catch-all’ system.  I also have yet to meet anyone smart enough to think up new codes for all the problems they encounter.  You have to manage people which heavily involves shaping culture.  Left alone, your culture will be shaped by outside influences, fleeting emotional conditions, weariness, frustration, anger-at-the-boss, and a host of other junk.  Systems have helped with copier overages.  However, the most efficient thing a leader can do is shape the local church/office/staff culture the way he or she senses God leading.  I simply have tried to create a culture focused on savings.  We’ve consistently been under budget this year.  We simply haven’t overspent - Thank God.

3 Ways We’ve Shaped Our Office Culture:

1. We’ve distributed systems with well-defined boundaries
2. We’ve communicated with clarity and consistency WHY we have these systems in place
3. We’ve thanked the staff regularly for living out and perpetuating this new culture

Don’t change the codes, change the culture!  Its pretty simple and you’ll be able to get a lot of other stuff done.

Great weekend with Brian Hunter …

• Friday, Chris and I met with Brian over dinner and had great discussion about our church and infrastructure - Lots of talk about staffing and organization.
• Looking forward to trying out basecamp.
• I learned that we should bring in consultants yearly, if not quarterly - to varying degrees.
• Don’t forget that you need to get your tickets to our mission’s conference this coming weekend ASAP - Yesterday was the last day to buy a ticket at a www.discoverlifechurch.tv worship experience, however you could probably get one by calling the office this week … 321 259-3388.  Don’t delay.
• Brian did a terrific job preaching yesterday.  As I sat there, I thought to myself, “Here is a guy our church would love to hear from often.”  So many people have complimented his message yesterday.
• I just want to say that I BELIEVE GOD!
• James 1 - I learned some stuff I hadn’t thought about before.  I love when speakers facilitate that!
• Learned that we’re getting a lot more right than we’re getting wrong
• Also learned that I have an amazing staff - not perfect, but truly amazing!  They are hungry to learn, grow and spread love here in Brevard County.
• I’m focused on some different numbers this week - I’ve got a feeling its going to make a huge difference - YES, NUMBERS ARE IMPORTANT - Ask a bank
• Dinner with my wife and son last night was a blast - simple and wonderful.
• My son now sports a ‘fohawk.’  He used to call it a fo-hog which I thought was hilarious.
• So many people at church yesterday - I love everyone of you.  I started getting calls early in the morning about folks who were sick or not able to attend.  However God showed up in a big way.
• Blessings on you all - Call someone and tell them you are praying for them this week - INVEST IN SOMEONE ELSE!

• Started a new series today … Fearless.  I talked about Gideon … Gotta love that dude.  Most of us can relate to him quite easily.
• The Worship Team did an outstanding job, as usual.
• The greeters and ushers are a blessing.  Toni and Darlene are great leaders.
• We’re having our partnership class as we speak.
• Because my son has a football game, Pastor Chris will handle the majority of the class.
• I’m about to have lunch with our new partners - Super exciting.
• I think I want wings for dinner.  I’ve been on a ‘wings’ binge for about 4 weeks … Not sure why
• Cher is totally enjoying taking our Children’s ministry to the next level.  I’m so proud of what she is accomplishing for the kingdom.
• Some first-time guests are eating lunch right now with a couple of our leaders, David and Lena and the Forsters.  All great people … I know they’ll have an awesome time together.
• Darcella, Ashleigh, and Kathy are doing a terrific job here with the Partnership class.  They are such a blessing.
• I’m learning more and more the extreme importance of a strong team.
• I’m looking forward to next week as Brian Hunter will be with us.  Get ready to be blessed.  Bring someone with you!

Well, this week has been our annual 3P.  This is where the staff and I take a week to pray, play and prepare for the upcoming year.  The staff and I came over on Monday evening and several leaders followed last evening.  We’ve had an amazing week!  We are refreshed and super excited to rush back and jump head first into discoverlifechurch.tv.

What have we accomplished this week?  While the team (about 20 dl peeps) are in the main lobby eating breakfast - and making a lot of noise - I decided to come in the computer room next door and share some awesome stuff with you all …

• We’ve played … a lot :)  I’m absolutely water-logged.  We’ve swam in the lazy river here.  This resort was economical and accommodating.  The pool is amazing.  I’ve dunked a dozen folks and been dunked a dozen times.  I smell like chlorine - Ha!
• We’ve prayed.  In fact, we were doing so until 2 a.m. this morning.  Last night, we concluded with ice cream sundaes and a session on prayer and what it means to be ‘pentecostal.’  Amazing dialogue!
• We prepared - We’ve spent about 12-14 hours in brainstorming and strategizing sessions this week.  While I’d planned to meet for 55 mins. each session, it naturally extended into extraordinary conversation and visionary thinking.

This is a quick summary of the week.  So much more, though.