Mentors - Part 4

One of the greatest things that has ever happened to me as a young leader and pastor is when people who were mentors to me as a teenager and young adult reached beyond the call of duty and actually became friends. I think of my former youth pastor Mark Einersen, who always noted a potential in me that helped me become who I am. The great part about our relationship is that it grew beyond that. We view each other as friends. Sure their are things that he and his family have done for Julie and I that we could never repay and the truth is there are still things that I learn from him, but the relationship is not built around those things. It is built on a genuine authentic relationship that can be nothing more than hanging out at times. Things like that make ministry worth it!

P.S. - I am now on staff at the church he grew up in and a bulk of our ministry focuses on the high school he graduated from.

Mentors - Part 3

Indirect Mentor #3 - Craig Groeschel
There are so many things to say here. Craig and Bobby at LifeChurch have made it possible for their impact for the Kingdom to be felt in larger ways than most of us have the creativity to imagine. I'll never forget Craig's story of how they started in a garage with an overhead transparency for their worship. He had a vision and a passion that led to things never thought of 15 years ago, and he is humble enough to admit that he stumbled on the idea during the birth of his child. The thing that I have gleaned the most and continue to glean from him is the fact that we have to do what we are good at doing. God created each and everyone of us uniquely and we are purposed to use the giftings that he has given us in the most effective ways we know how. We are not called to be like someone else!

Direct Mentor #3 - Randy Valimont
Pastor Valimont was my pastor from the time I was about 13 years old. I watched as our church grew from about 300 people to nearly 2500 when I left for college. Since that time it has continued to grow and touch the community in so many ways. Over the years Pastor Valimont and I have had a few conversations that I will not forget. As a college student I will never forget the things that he expected from those around him...1. Passion for God, 2. Work Ethic, and 3. Teachability. He also made this statement in another conversation...(paraphrased) delegation is not delegation without accountability. Now that I have been involved in full-time ministry for nearly nine years, those 2 valuable lessons still remain a part of my ministry philosphy. Thanks Pastor for everything.

Mentors - Part 2

Indirect Mentor #2 - Bill Hybels
I have read so many books by Hybels and the Willow Creek staff. He says in his book Courageous Leadership that "the local church is the hope of the world." When I first read that it was like I was hit by an oncoming train. But that is exactly the way Jesus set the stage. He spent time on earth with His disciples, and set the church into motion at His death. The "local church" (bodies of believers within a particular community) is the hope for changing that community. We must see more effective churches planted, lead, and grown in every community of the world.

Direct Mentor #2 - Tim Bach
I had the opportunity to serve with Tim Bach during a transitional year of my life. I was about to graduate college and get married. Tim taught me many things, but I think the thing that hit me like a tire iron was his passion for seeing people's life transformed by Jesus. No person was too far from God. Everyday was an opportunity. I have always heard passion is contagious, and in this situation, I am the victim. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to serve with him in other capacities and that passion is still the same.

Mentors - From Hindsight to Foresight

It has been said that a mentor is "Someone whose hindsight can become your foresight.” I think there are days worth of learning in that statement. There are so many people who have been where I want to go. They are on all different stages of the journey. It's not that I want to be exactly like any of them, but there are things that they have learned along the way that have and will continue to give me insight into decision making along the journey. Over the next week or so I will be sharing a few thoughts on people who have impacted my life. I don't believe that you have to have a relationship with all of the people that impact your life, so I have broken these down into what I call "Direct Impact Mentors"(those who I have a personl relationship with) and "Indirect Impact Mentors"(those I have learned from the most from books, blogs etc.).

Indirect Mentor #1 - Dave Ramsey
Although I now have what I would call an acquantance with Dave, before I knew him personally, he challenged me to change my family tree. My wife and I are and have been debt free except for our home for the last 6 years. He has changed my view on money, giving, and debt. Julie and I are now certified financial counselors with Ramsey's organization (The Lampo Group) and have helped hundreds of families become debt free.

Direct Mentor # 1 - My Dad
My dad taught me so much about hard work. Though our skill sets are remarkably different, ministry can be difficult at times. He taught me to take care of my family, never give up, and work hard and get ahead. He coached my sports teams, and stretched me to become the best that I could be in whatever I was doing. Thanks Dad I will forever be grateful.

"Sunday Night Refelctions"

• Servolution was amazing...sorry for the poor video quality below, just keeping the site moving as quick as possible. My favorite part was Bingo at the nursing home.
• 27 people gave their heart and life to Christ this week...3 tonight in a financial class.
• Our financial class begins paying off $312,000 starting tonight. I'm so excited!!!
• "Gazelle Intensity" - Part 4 of Dave Ramsey's FPU- gets me so fired up.
• I love Facebook. Hooked up with some old friends I haven't talked to since middle and high school. One was a girl that I got in an argument with in 7th grade and we both got a paddling. That was the days before political correctness.
• Getting stoked about the cruise in 2 weeks. It's hard leaving what you love doing, but a week in the Caribbean is worth it.
• Cane's chicken for lunch...mmmm!!!
• College Football - Well still my favorite. GA looks amazing if they would quit having 130 yards a game in penalties. Knowshon for Heisman Baby!!! Gotta say I am a little worried about the AL vs. GA matchup this weekend.
• Falcons 2-1. Who saw that coming?
• Pulling for the Packers tonight (doesn't look good), not because I like them, but I dont like Favre and I want Rodgers to have a great season. Sorry to all of you Cowboys and Favre fans.
• Hope to post a few blogs this week on "It," Craig Groeschel's new book.

Good night for now.

Servolution Update

Thought you may injoy this video from earlier today...

"The Gathering"

Where to begin...I am absolutely stunned at this year and the lives that are being changed within the ministry. I've said it before, we are understaffed and out manned by about 3 to 1 what we should be. Students seem to be coming out of the woods behind the youth facility and then bringing their friends the next week. Tonight 24 students made Christ the center of their life, despite several media and sound glitches. This was supposed to be a year of (for lack of a better term) "rebuilding," but we are doing our best to keep up with God. Pray for workers. Not only is the harvest ripe, but our workers are delirious. Thanks for the support prayers.

"Servolution" - A Revolution of Serving

Three days left until we embark on our community with the same spirit that Jesus came to the earth with...not to be served but to serve. From honoring our hospital workers, playing Bingo with the elderly in nursing homes, cutting the grass of widows and military wives, handing out cold water and much more, our goal is to over time show this community Jesus cares about every person. This community has been changed dramatically over the past 3 years, and we have set a goal to change it again. I will post a video this weekend that I hope you will enjoy.

Wild Goose Chase - Part 2

I gotta say I love the concept of the chapter "Coming out of the Cage of Assumptions." As Christ-followers, we all have assumptions we face. It is easy to look at others and see where they assume things about God and church that are just opinions...you don't love God unless you attend Sunday night service, you have to wear your Sunday best for church, it's the pastor's job to do the ministry are just a few. But what about yourself. This is the question that I had to wrestle with. I discovered that some of the assumptions that I have overcome in recent years are pretty substantial.
1. "The church is about gathering together with other believers" - This is terrible that I dealt with this assumption for so long. To state it clearly I now realize "the church" is living a organism and requires action within the marketplace and community we live. The basis for the church is the basis for Jesus life..."not to be served, but to serve and give my life."
2. "Church planting is not for me" - Simply put God is stirring my spirit and challenging me to dream and think outside the box. I will constantly be sharing more of my heart on this.
3. "Bigger is better. Build a bigger building...run more services, then build another bigger building." - I have to admit that the multi-site movement in our country has proven to me that as a church grows larger the way for it to then grow larger is to multiply itself. This is many times done best by taking advantage of multiple locations in rented facilities.

There are many more, but ask yourself, what are your assumptions you need to square up and ask God to clarify for you?

Life Goals - Recreation/Fitness

I am always adding to these...

• Run the Peachtree Road Race with my nephew and kids
• Play Pebble Beach
• Play St. Andrews
• Play Sawgrass - and I hit 17 the first shot
• Play Augusta
• Play Kapalua
• Shoot under par for once in my life
• Own a Seadoo
• Stay within 15 pounds of my marriage weight - this is gonna be tough
• Skydive - maybe - I should say get the guts to skydive
• Get a hole in 1 - October 26, 2007
• Parasail with the Fam

Life Goals - Travel

Here are a few travel goals that Julie had much say so in. Again some have already been fulfilled...

• Visit all the major Hawaiian Islands
• Spend 2 weeks touring Europe
• Take a Mediterranean Cruise
• Spend a few weeks in Australia
• Take the kids on a Disney Cruise
• Cruise the Mexican Riviera
• Swim with the Dolphins
• Visit StingRay City
• Visit the 7 Wonders
• Whitewater Raft the Colorado and Grand Canyon
• Visit as many Caribean Islands and locations as possible
• Take the Kids on an African or Australian Safari
• Take our parents on a paid vacation
• Tour the Whitehouse
• Attend a Super Bowl
• Attend BCS National Championship Game
• Take Jase to all SEC football stadiums

Tomorrow...a few personal recreation goals.

Sunday Night Reflections

• First Sunday After Hurricane Gustov - Not a Bad Day
• Picked back up on Financial Peace - Still stoked. I think that class will pay off as much debt or more than the last one
• Keeping an eye on Hurricane Ike
• Go Dawgs!!! Look out South Carolina!
• Go Falcons!!! I can't believe I just said that, but for now I am on the bandwagon.
• Ready for The Gathering Wednesday - Missed a week and a retreat due to Gustov
• Rashad Evans beat Chuck Lidell...Think Chuck needs a new strategy. Gotta love the UFC!!!
• Not looking forward to my trip tomorrow...Jackson, MS BLAH!!

Off to Bed!!!

Life Goals - Ministry

Just walking through the different categories of my/our life goals. Here are a few that would fall into the ministry category. Again some have already been fulfilled while others have not yet began.

• Plant a church in South Atlanta
• Pastor a church of 10,000 people
• Win 100,000 people to Jesus
• Pastor same church for 20+ years
• Pastor a student ministry of 200+ students
• See 50 students pursue a call to ministry
• Build an orphanage/girls home in a foreign country
• Spend a month on the mission field
• Take my kids on a family missions trip
• Work in ministry with my kids as adults
• Write a book
• Mentor 500 young ministers

A few thoughts: When I wrote these goals down I felt it was important to include those that I set a few years ago and have seen fulfilled as well as those that are in the process. In the next few days I will post family goals, travel goals, as well as recreation and fitness goals.

Life Goals - Financial

Thought I would share just a few of my/our financial goals today. Several of these have already been fulfilled and others are barely beginning. Here they are in no particular order:

• Pay off home by age 40
• Pay for children's college education
• Provide 20% dowm payment for children's first home for wedding gift
• Be financially independent by age 50
• Work in full time ministry without drawing a salary
• Allow Julie to be stay at home mom
• Be debt free the rest of our lives
• Have $100,000 in retirment by age 30
• Help 10,000 families become debt free through financial counseling

I must throw a shout out to a mentor of mine Dave Ramsey for his leadership in the field of stewardship and financial peace. For more info visit http://www.daveramsey.com/

"Wild Goose Chase" - Part 1

About finished reading "Wild Goose Chase" and I am focusing in the question that Mark ask, "How do you need to get your feet wet in pursuing your God-given passions?" He refers back to the book of Joshua when God tells the priests to take a few steps into the water before He would part the river (Joshua 3) He states that many times we are waiting on God to act, and at the same time, he is waiting on us to act. I realize more and more each day that God's plans and dreams for my life are not going to just happen because I want them to. They require action, and many time risks on my part. It's what Mark calls being "responsibly irresponsible." It's taking risks that are God given risks that can only happen if he is in it.

TPC Sawgrass

Just finished up a 2 day golf tournament at the TPC Sawgrass. Met some great leaders and pastors from across the globe. I truly believe that relationships were built that will last lifetime. We shot 12 under and happy to say that it only took 1 shot to hit 17. I have posted pics to my facebook account. Looking forward to next year as well as working with the Asia Pacific Board of Regents.