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What Style of Church are You?

I talk to Pastors and they tell me what style of church they have: traditional, contemporary, Purpose-Driven, seeker-sensitive, etc... I've told our church that I figured out what type of church we are: we're an "experimental church." We just want to be a place where God can conduct experiments. That means some stuff we do is awesome and and innovative, but the downside is that some stuff we try makes your skin turn green and you develop a weird itch. The point is that as leaders we need to create a culture of change. The only way I know to do that is to...change stuff. Not simply for the sake of change. But because we are constantly striving to improve our effectiveness for the kingdom. So think about turning your church into God's laboratory. Just remember to wear your goggles...

The Hardest Part of My Job

I talk to Pastors who tell me that preaching is the hardest thing for them to do. Others tell me staffing selection is the hardest part of their job. Others say it's living in a fishbowl where everything you say and do is judged (usually pretty harshly) is the toughest thing to deal with. But in my role as a Senior Pastor (Or Lead Pastor depending on your particular nomenclature), the hardest thing for me, is to say NO. When someone calls and wants to meet with me for counseling and I have to refer them to a staff member, it kills me. I think part of it is because I don't want them to feel like I don't care. The truth is, I'm referring them to the staff member or lay leader because I care. I always feel like there's the opportunity to be misunderstood in these situations, but I know it's the right thing to do. God has brought amazing people to support me in our church so I can do what I'm called to do and they can use their gifts to minister to those that really need help.

But it's still tough for me, especially when someone says, "I only feel like I can relate to you." That's just because they listen to me talk for 40 minutes (OK, sometimes longer) every Sunday. So when I say I can't meet with them and refer them to a staff member, there's a little part of me that feels like I let them down. I know it's not the case because the person I have referred them to is much better at meeting that need than me, but I still get that feeling.

I know God has called to do 2 things at CCML: lead and feed. I'm called to lead the church where Jesus is calling us and to feed God's people His Word. If I deter from that focus, it's over. The church stops moving and we never reach beyond the 4 walls of the church (Or theatre in our case) to those that don't know Jesus. It's a tough call. I know I get misunderstood when I say NO, but I know it pleases God when I say it. Let me say that again: It pleases God when I say NO! That's a conclusion I came to a while ago, but only implemented this year. If someone is more gifted, it is them that should meet the need using their gift. That's why God placed them in the body of Christ to begin with! When I was a staff member at a church, I watched my Pastor say NO to everything, except the things that only he could do. That's the mark of a great leader and a great Pastor. Only a selfish Pastor "Hogs" all the ministry opportunities for himself! Only a Pastor with a serious ego problem believes that only he can meet the needs of the congregation. A great Pastor trains those around him and places them according their areas of gifting to be able to exercise those gifts for the benefit of the whole church. Being a great Pastor doesn't mean you meet all of the needs, it means you have avenues where those needs get met.

So now I'm saying NO. And the result: More people are receiving ministry than ever; the church is moving where God wants us to go; I'm more prepared than ever on share God's Word; we're reaching more people than ever; and my staff is experiencing the joy of being an instrument in God's hand.

Pastors, what's the hardest part of your job?

World Series Predictions - American League

Last week I made my prediction that it would me the Florida Marlins representing the National League in the World Series. Now I'd like to add my thoughts about who I believe the American League representative to be.

A.L. East - With the Orioles spinning out of control (Which is what I suspected), they will be in 3rd place before too long, which is where they will end the season. Toronto has made a good run, but the fire sale will begin shortly because they are not going to be able to contend this year anyway. So why not trade your veteran player with bloated salaries for young, cheap talent? The Yankees are not playing good baseball. They are showing they are an aging team and their pitching is NOT worth the 70 million that are paying for their starting rotation. The winner: Boston! They have good starting pitching (they're in 1st place without the aid of their ace Curt Shilling), and the best offense in baseball. Their problems: defensively they are weak and the bullpen is iffy at best. But expect some trades to take place before the July 31st deadline to compensate for these issues.

A.L. Central - Let me start by saying "I'm shocked" over the White Sox. Everyone expected the Twins to run away with this division. The White Sox starting pitching has been great. They sport the best record in all of baseball. I'm very impressed. Everyone else should just wave the white (No pun) flag and hope for better things next year. I like the Indians, but they don't have enough this year to do it.
The winner: Chicago

A.L. West: This is basically a 2 team race. Oakland can't score a run and Seattle is rebuilding. So it really comes down to the Rangers or the Angels. I think Texas' offense more potent, but their pitching will break down. The Angels have decent starting pitching and an impressive bullpen with K-Rod as their closer. By late September, they will be 8 games ahead of Texas who will be imploding by then.
The winner: Los Angeles

Wild Card: Let's face it, the Yankees will somehow find a way to get invited to the party.

So here's how I believe the AL post-season will breakdown:

ALDS: (Best of 5 series)

Boston vs. Los Angeles - Winner: Boston in 4 games
Chicago vs. New York - Winner: New York in 5 games

ALCS: (Best of 7 series)

Boston vs. New York - Winner: Boston in 6 games

American League representative in the 2005 world series: The Boston Red Sox

I know, I've loved the red Sox since birth. But I really believe they can do it. Then again, I say that every year!

So I believe it will be Boston and Florida in the Word Series. Next time I'll tell you who I think will win and why...

Shopping and Thinking

I was at Old Navy yesterday buying some t-shirts when I saw a sign that said if I applied for an Old Navy credit card I could use it at any of their companies: Old Navy, The Gap, and Banana Republic. It got me thinking about how we are trying to reach those that we feel best equipped to reach. While one company owns all of these stores, they market their brand very differently. Old Navy is casual wear. The Gap goes from casual to kind of dressy. And Banana Republic is higher end clothing. My point is this: when was the last time you saw a commercial for Banana Republic? I've never seen one. Yet I see Old Navy commercials all the time and The Gap makes an appearance now and again. The companies have figured out how to attract their clientele to their stores to buy their latest fashions. But has the church gotten wise to this yet? Are we using Old Navy methods to reach Banana Republicans? Or are we just an Old Navy 'Commercial' away from making a serious dent in our communities? Are we like The Gap who needs to do a little of both depending on the season?

As you can tell from this post, this isn't about answers, but about questions. Who are you trying to reach? What's the best way to reach them? Are we doing whatever we can and allowing God to do what only He can? I've got 2 new t-shirts and about 100 new questions to ask myself...

Surrounded by New Bloggers!

Another new blogger has emerged onto the scene.  It is Mark Rodriguez, CCML's Worship and Youth Pastor.  Mark is the ultimate Go-To Guy.  He is doing a phenemenal job as part of our staff.  Mark attended our very first service as a church and a year and half later we hired him to be our worship leader and graphics guy.  He's got a great view on life and ministry.  We've always said he should have his own sitcom, so here's his first step.  So if you get a chance, check out his blog and welcome him to the blogosphere!      

There's a new blogger in town!

I want to introduce you to my good buddy Jason Berggren.  Jason is the Children's Pastor at CCML and has been with me since we planted the church.  There's no way we'd be where we are today without his leadership and dedication.  GenerationPost is the name of the blog.  So check it out. 

Is your Church Ready for 5.19.06?

Well if you aren't aware, 5.19.06 is the release date for Ron Howard's new film, The Da Vinci Code, based on the book by best-selling author, Dan Brown.  You can watch the trailer here.  I read the book (Actually, I listened to it on my ipod, but close enough) and I thought the story was great.  Theologically, the book is whack!  I heard people talking about it as if it were a religious book and I felt compelled to read it (Or listen).  I was talking with my dentist (Which is no small feat when they are jamming their utensils into your gums) and she told me that since I was a Christian I would really like The Da Vinci Code because the book is about God.  I had already caught wind of the basic premise of the book, but while the story is very compelling and entertaining, the information peddled as fact in the intrduction is just not accurate.  Brown leans heavily on a book called, "Holy Blood, Holy Grail", which gives many of the "Facts" Brown used to develop his story.  There are many good books that have come out that refute the skewed history Brown writes about it in the book.  I read The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction by Hank Hanegraff and found it very helpful.

The important thing is that this book can be an open door for Christians to strike up spiritual conversations like I had the opportunity to with my dentist and it can give the church an excellent opportunity to reach out to those that  don't know Jesus.  We have 323 days to get ready for this moment.  Let's not let it slip away...

Blogging Etiquette

My man Tally Wilgis is laying some serious smack down on his blog today with his post on Blogging Maturity.   It's a great read and totally needed.  I think Tally's blog on church leadership is one of the best out there.  Everybody else just...oh yeah, I can't talk like that anymore.  I read his post.  As you can see, the stuff is true and it works. 

But seriously, if you want to disagree, fine.  If you have a comment that's constructive, you don't have to put it on display.  I'm not saying you have to agree with everything someone writes, just be sensitive to the fact that others are reading your comments as well.  Most people have an e-mail address where you can write them privately if you feel you need to express yourself to the blogger.  But usually, it's people who think they know everything that leave nasty comments for all to see (That part may have been uncalled for). 

So in the immortal words of Brad Hamilton (Judge Reinhold) to Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) as Brad points to the "No shirt, No shoes, No dice" sign at All American Burger, "Learn it, know it, live it!"            

Top 5 CD's if I were on really on "Lost"

I guess the "If you were on a desert island, what CD's would you want with you" is kind of played out, but since I'm a huge fan of the show "Lost", let me give you my top 5 CD's I'd want with me if I were stuck on that weird island (That is, of course if Sawyer hadn't confiscated them)...

#5 - Kiss Alive II by Kiss
#4 - Illuminate by David Crowder Band
#3 - Films about Ghosts by Counting Crows
#2 - Jesus Freak by D.C. Talk (the Best Christian album ever!)

...And #1 - Room for Squares & Heavier Things by John Mayer (Sorry I cheated - have a little mercy, in this scenario I crash landed on an island with polar bears!)

What is Leadership?

So I've come to a decision.  I've decided what I believe leadership to be.  I believe the best leaders are great followers.  They are following Jesus as closely as they can and that by nature has them out in front of many others.  They in turn follow Jesus by following the leader in front of them.  I remember in elementary school that my teachers would commend those who followed her the closest when we were walking in single file down the hall.  I believe Christian leadership is no different.  When people see that you walk with God, they gladly follow.  Because any of us will follow someone who is being guided by God and walking closely with Him...