Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
15th Jul, 2009
Hello world!
22nd Apr, 2009
Three New Books on the Shelf
Starting reading three new books and one old one that I picked up a few years ago and never finished:
- Young Patriots–It’s about James Madison and Alexander Hamilton (both in their 30s) and the forming of the constitution.
- Surprised by Hope–This is the latest by theologian NT Wright. It’s about the resurrection, heaven, and the mission of the church.
- Leading on Empty–Wayne Cordeiro’s latest book on leadership.
- The Reason for God–Tim Keller’s best selling apologetics work.
I read several books at a time and wrap them all up about the same time. These should be done in a couple of weeks–maybe three. I have some travel time in there which allows for extra reading.
21st Apr, 2009
To Blog Or Not to Blog
That seems to be the question. I blog for a while and then stop. Blog for a while and then stop. I’m trying to decide whether blogging, FB, or both. I’m going to try to blog every couple of days between now and the end of the month and see what happens.
12th Mar, 2009
The Daily Message
Grant and I started reading through the Bible with the Daily Message. I never liked the daily Bible reading stuff because it divided it into a big OT portion, a small NT portion, and then a tiny section of Psalms and Proverbs. This daily plan is different. You go through an entire OT book and then an entire NT book. It’s helps you stay in context. Plus, you only do six days and week and a reflection day. It makes it easier to get caught up if you get behind.
Doing it with Grant will make it even more special. I love my boy!
9th Mar, 2009
Hiring Process–The Three C’s
As we are hiring three new pastors, we engage in a process to try to determine fi the folks we are tlaking with fit the three c’s.
1. Character. This is no surpirse. We need maximum energy, maximum effort, and maximum help from them. They must have character equal to the task. We do our due diligence in checking backgrounds and references to discover if they have the first c.
2. Compentence. After, and only after, they pass the character test comes the competency test. We aren’t looking for 7’s or 8’s on the team. We’re looking for 10’s. We want ot find the best person we can for that key role on the team.
3. Chemistry. Some people look down on this one, but I have found it’s so true. You can have a team of all-stars, but if there is no chemistry, you aren’t cutting down any nets. Do they fit with out vision and our values. Are we going to enjoy working together day in and day out. I’ve learned this one the hard way.
So, pray for us that God will give us people who pass not with A’s, but with C’s–character, competence, and chemistry.
25th Feb, 2009
Uncommon Discipline
We just finished up a team devotion time where we focused on the five dysfunctions of a team from Patrick Lencioni. Those are:
1. Absence of Trust
2. Fear of Conflict
3. Lack of Commitment
4. Avoidance of Conflict
5. Inattention to Results.
What struck me the most was a final comment about teamwork–Teamwork results from a common set of principles practices with uncommon discipline over a long period of time. Uncommon discipline with a common set of principles.
10th Feb, 2009
2020 Vision
Sunday was a great day as we presented the vision for Bethel Temple to be a church with a DREAM:
- Demonstrate Reconciliation
- Reshape the Future
- Experience Life
- Activate Hope
- Multiply Influence
We also presented goals for Bethel regarding each purpose. Here are the 2020 goals for Demonstrating Reconciliation:
- By the year 2020, Bethel Temple will assist 1,000 churches in developing a multi-cultural ministry.
- By the year 2020, Bethel Temple will influence 50,000 people toward a biblical worldview regarding pressing social issues, seeking to bring reconciliation and common ground for action.
- By the year 2020, Bethel Temple will invest $1 million and partner with other like-minded organizations to help fight HIV/AIDS, world hunger, and human trafficking.
2nd Feb, 2009
Hit the Snooze
This morning our wife attempted to stir our eight-year old from bed. He looked at her and said,
“My covers are warm,
My pillow is deep,
Today’s the day,
I stay in bed and sleep.”
With that, he pulled the covers back above his head! He’s a hoot…but I love him. I’ve felt like that on a few Monday mornings–most of the time, though, I can’t wait to get to the office and get strated ona new week. It’s exciting what God is doing at Bethel. We over 500 people at our Saturday night prayer meeting that wrapped up our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. It was awesome. Thank you to everyone who participated. You are sowing seeds that will reap a great harvest.
27th Jan, 2009
Setting Goals
Just finished getting ready for staff devotions this morning. We’re looking at how to set goals. Here are nine steps form Genesis 24:
1. Determine your position.
2. Define your purpose.
3. Discover a promise.
4. Describe the profit.
5. Desire in prayer.
6. Diagnose the problems.
7. Designa plan.
8. Discipline your personality.
9. Deposit an investment.
10. Depend on people.
22nd Jan, 2009
Movement: Charting Bethel’s Future
It seems like we are always in the middle of what we are doing and what we are about to do. We still have three weeks of Miracle in the House to go, but I am already working on Movement: Charting Bethel’s Future. This three part series will spell out Bethel’s Vision and Values. It’s the result of all the Dream meetings, staff meetings, and board meetings–plus prayer and fasting. I can’t wait. It is exciting.
Plus, I’m getting ready to send the ideas for series after that to the graphic designer. That series is called It. Do you have it? Do you want it? Are you sharing it? It is going to be good. I can’t wait.