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Staffing as a church grows...

William Vanderbloemen saved my life. At least  I think he did. I met William last year,  and the timing could not have been better. I shared with William the challenges our Ministry Team was having, because on the heels of moving in a new auditorium and experiencing some explosive growth, NO ONE ON OUR TEAM HAD EVER BEEN ON STAFF AT A CHURCH AS LARGE AS OURS...NOT EVEN ME! That's a challenge.

If you've been a part of a church that's experienced exponential growth, you know that the challenges and complexities of ministry change so much over time with the growth of the church! I was recognizing it. Our team was, too! We were in over our heads! We sensed God leading us to bring in some team members that had ministry experience in ministries larger than ours. Since that time, we have asked William to help us in the search for THREE new executive ministry positions. Working with William has been everything I'd hoped it would be.

Here are just a few of the ways the ministry of the Vanderbloemen Search Group has helped our ministry:

• They sat down with me, sought to understand my leadership style, our church's mission and culture, and asked me the hard questions. I have a better understanding of our church's unique mission and culture because of them.
• They have helped us reach outside our usual church relationships and cultures and connected us with new types of churches and ministry leaders. This is going to help diversify our team and church over time.
• Most Pastors and churches don't have great HR processes. We've been no exception. William is helping our young church grow up here.
• William is a Pastor with a Pastor's heart, has worked in and for the church, knows ministry, recognizes the call, and knows a ministry match when he sees it. He's really gifted at this.
• William loves Jesus, seeks Him, and asks God to lead Him as part of the search process. That means the world to me!

Bringing in some seasoned ministry veterans with new energy and fresh perspective is going to rock our church...for the better! Thanks, William, for following God's calling... I can't wait to see what God is about to do in and through you! Honored to partner with you!

As for Mountain Lakers, get ready for greater impact than ever before!

Football Domination…

A lot to be thankful for…

This morning I made a list of things I’m thankful to God for. Here’s what I wrote:

Father I’m thankful for:

• Your Son Jesus Christ, the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
• Forgiving me of my sin
• Leading my life
• My call into vocational ministry
• My wife  Tricia, who:
  • Loves Jesus with all her heart
  • Is willing to sacrifice anything to see God’s mission fulfilled thru us.
  • Is my biggest cheerleader and best friend.
  • Is HOT!
  • Is my right hand  ministry partner!
• My three kids:
  • Hannah: who loves Jesus well and has a great ear for music!
  • Madison: My biggest helper and cuddler.
  • Paul: who loves Video games and comic books as much as I do!
• Parents who always believed in me, pushed me, and cheered me on.
• For a Dad who’s never been afraid to hug me and tells me he loves me every time I talk to him.
• For a church that is reaching so many people disconnected from Jesus Christ!
• For a church that loves my family and me well!
• My favorite Growth Group of all time RIGHT NOW: The Brambletts, McClures, Orzechs, Maryanski’s, Massey’s, Bushong’s, Landreth’s, & Smith’s.
• Your daily provision in my life. 
• The best Ministry team in the world.
• The world’s best ministry assistant: Marie Lindelli.
• The wisdom to lead during these unique days.
• Teaching me contentment more each day.
• churchplanters.com, and the ability to influence pastors and ministry leaders all over the world.
• The mentors you’ve placed in my life over the years.
• My home.
• America. I love this country. Help us return to You.
• Christmas Songs.
• College Football. My second passion in life.

Real Men of Genius Video II…

Real Men Of Genius Promo II from Mountain Lake Church on Vimeo.

P90X One year Review…

Should I have Tech Thursday?

OK…Anyone that knows me well,  knows I’m somewhat of a geek. I love technology and utilize it extensively in my life and ministry. I am NOT the most cutting edge guy in the world, don’t get me wrong. However, I’m ALWAYS looking for ways to become more productive and efficient in the ministry God has given me and our team here at Mountain Lake.

So I was thinking (that’s usually dangerous)  about doing a weekly post called Tech Thursday, highlighting the technology, both that I use, and I’m familiar with. I might even share some ideas  I have about future technology! I was thinking and hoping that I might be able to help Pastors, their ministry teams, their churches, and even business people become more productive and efficient by leveraging basic technologies that are out there you may not even be aware of. SO give me your feedback. What do you think? Will you tune in? Could this help?

The way a Pastor falls into sin…

Pastors have a HUGE spiritual bulls-eye on our backsides! We are targets of the enemy. Strike the shepherd. Scatter the sheep.  That’s the enemy’s strategy.

That’s why, more than ever before, I’m convinced that to protect ourselves as Pastors, we must NUTURE VITALITY. It’s the #1 Best Practice we talk about in  our churchplanters.com ministry and coaching network. To NURTURE, means to care for; pay attention to; attend to; feed…our VITALITY: our spiritual, emotional, spiritual, and relational strength! 

Below is just a simple list of practical ways to keep ourselves from being picked off by the enemy as Pastors. These are simple. But easier to KNOW and PREACH; than DO.  Here are a few (OK, more than a few):

• Read your Bible daily, and read portions of Scripture that have NOTHING to do with this week’s message.
• Take your off day Religiously. Burnout leads to spiritual failure and dropout.
• If you don’t rest, you will burn out. Period. You are not exempt.
• Tell you congregation you will NOT be out more than 2-3 nights a week.
• Keep office hours. Go home at 5 or 5:30 PM. People have to see their doctor, their dentist, their lawyer, and their counselor from 8-5. Spiritual counsel should be no different. You MUST have a life at night with your family.
• Don’t open your laptop after you get home.
• Don’t answer your cell phone after you get home.
• When you walk in the house after work, don’t be on the cell phone.
• Spend less time on Twitter and facebook.  Spend more time communicating with your family.
• Get secure in your own skin. The desire for attention or pleasing people is a flag that will get you in trouble.
• Confess your temptations or addictions to a trusted friend NOT in your church.
• Schedule a date night with you spouse ATLEAST once a month. If you don’t have the money, ask the church to pay for it. (my church doesn’t, BTW) Your church will, though,  if you ask them.
• Tell your congregation that the best gift you have to offer them is NOT a close relationship with every one of  them, but a close relationship with God and a close relationship with your spouse.
• Don’t just talk about ministry with your spouse. Start a hobby TOGETHER!
• Exercise! Flabby body=flabby mind=flabby spirit.
• Take walks with God early in the morning when you can talk out loud to Him and share your hurts, pains, struggles, and dreams.
• Get your spouse out of that ministry they feel tied to because no one else will do it. You’re burning them out.
• Have a family night regularly where you allow your kids to set the agenda.
• Have a hobby you enjoy by yourself.
• Tell your spouse you love them EVERY DAY!
• Speak positively of your spouse from the stage.
• Listen to friends that raise flags about your behavior.
• Don’t ever be in the car, or your office, or ANY PLACE alone with opposite sex with the door shut.  NEVER. NEVER. NEVER.
• Make the above policy for every Pastor on your Team.
• Don’t flirt, including online, or in emails! If you’re flirted with (and you will be), don’t respond, and immediately tell your spouse.
• Think about the consequences of your sin if carried out and found out. Who and how many will get hurt?
• Remember, pride goes before a fall, and you can not stand too close to a fire and not get burned.
• Make Nurturing Vitality the most important part of your job description.

Why I've been MIA the last couple of weeks...

 You may or may not have noticed that I have been MIA for the last couple of weeks: I haven't blogged, twittered, facebooked or CB radioed, answered my phone, responded to emails as often! I have been taking some time away from the offices, to renew, reflect, and re-tool. I've spent come good quality time with the family, but I also have take a ton of time to BE STILL and know that He is God! Each morning, I have spent some quiet hours just seeking and listening to the voice of God! I really do think most of us under=estimate the impact that an overcrowded life has on our ability to hear from God! I have learned over the last few years that relentless pace, if not followed by relentless rest silences the voice of God in my life. But out of everyone in my church is is a MUST that I HEAR FROM GOD! So I am learning to release ministry. Trust our Team. Empower. Delegate. Focus, not on what I ENJOY the most, but what this church NEEDS the most: A clear word from God through the Sr. Pastor! SO I've been MIA a little MORE the last few weeks to listen to the voice of God. And He HAS spoken. I'm still listening and processing. However, I'm ready to come down from the mountain and share what God has placed on my heart! Can't wait to be back at Mountain Lake this Sunday and begin to do just that!

What my kids are thankful for…

Many of you know by now, that my family just got back from the beach. On the way home,  we brainstormed about all the things we were thankful for, regarding our vacation. Here’s what the kids had to say:

• “I’m thankful that Jesus gave Daddy a job that pays enough money that allows us to go on a Dolphin Cruise on the Sea Blaster.”
• “I’m thankful that God gave my daddy a couple of days off so we could take a break together before school starts back.”
• I’m thankful that we got to ride on a boat and swim on the ocean.”
• “I’m thankful that we got to see our Grandparents.”
• “ I’m thankful for getting the opportunity to get to ride go-carts”.
• “I’m  thankful for getting to go to THE TRACK”.
• “I’m thankful for Mimi and Pawpaw letting us use their pool.”
• “I’m thankful for getting to spend some family time”. (It really was mentioned this late in the conversation).
• “I’m thankful that Jesus gave us the money to buy stuff” (Most of Madison’s thankfulness was about money).
• “I’m thankful for having a great time.”
• “I’m thankful for a good drive home.”
• “I’m thankful for getting to see dolphins while standing on the deck of our condo.”
• “I’m thankful for great weather at the beach.”
• “I’m thankful there was a sandbar every day on the ocean.”
• “I’m thankful Jesus let the sea shells come up on the beach every day.”
• “I’m just thankful we got to take a vacation.”
• “I love you” (OK, this has nothing to do with their thankfulness, but a lot to do with mine).