Catalyst One Day

This past Monday I had the opportunity to attend the Catalyst One Day event outside of Baltimore, MD and hear Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel talk on the overall topic of Momentum.

Here are a few key thoughts from Andy Stanley's first session on "Gaining and Sustaining Momentum." All of these thoughts are statements/concepts that I will need to process for a while as I think through them within our Grace Ministries context.

Momentum: Forward motion fueled by a series of wins.

Three Components of Sustained Momentum: New, Improve, Improving

New does not guarantee sustained momentum. But new is an essential trigger for momentum.

Improved: The new must be a noticeable improvement over the old.

Improved warning: Even a significant improvement has a shelf life.

Improving: Momentum is sustained through continuous improvement, systematic & unfiltered evaluation.

Momentum Stoppers: Disengaged Leadership, Overactive Management, Complacency, Complexity, A Breach of Trust.

One of the best things I took away from Monday was the reality that Grace Ministries has a number of natural momentum builders looming on the horizon which will be most beneficial to our ministry. The key will be sustaining momentum for years to come for the overall glory of Christ as we seek to build His kingdom here on earth!

Monday was one of those days that both pumped me up and caused me to pause as there is always much to think about when leading a growing organization. But it did show forth the importance of sustained momentum.

My Personal Goals (Part Three)

Personal Goals

2) Tangible Exercise Routine

Today I make my final post on my last personal goal over the next six months. It relates to exercise. Now I am a fairly active person based upon the pace I keep in life. I am always on the go with either work or the kids and have very little time to sit on my duff (except that's what I do all day in the office). For the most part I also eat fairly well. I am the type who generally doesn't over do it and eat very balanced dinners that always includes the main food groups.

BUT... I am beginning to hit an age where I feel the bones and joints beginning to resist some of the activity I used to engage in with very little effort. I am beginning to notice that the muscle in the belly is just becoming a belly. So... I have determined to take some tangible steps in making sure that I am working towards establishing a regular exercise routine to keep the ticker ticking and the fat away.

In Conclusion...
So there you have it! My personal goals for the next six months. I was a little hesitant to post them publicly, but decided it couldn't hurt to have a few more people keeping me accountable as I want to take seriously my desire to keep growing and maturing as a follower of Christ.

Extra Weekly Post: Happy Birthday Teenager!

Beginning today - I have a teenager in my house!!! I know many other parents have already successfully traversed this portion of the parenting journey, but for Susan and I this is a significant and exciting event. I have come to learn to enjoy each and every stage of my children's life and I am viewing the teenage years the same way. I have no doubt that there will be difficult days, but having your kids grow up and venture out on their own in the Lord is the way God has intended it.

So... HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH! I love you and am very proud of you! I believe that God has imparted some wonderful gifts within you and I look forward to seeing them continue developing as you grow intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually! Have a great day buddy!!!

My Personal Goals (Part Two)

Last week I began the process of sharing what my two professional goals were for the next six months. Begining with this post, I will now share the first of my two personal goals.

Personal Goals:

1) Grow in my Understanding of Wisdom by Studying Proverbs 1-9

This goal has been birthed out of the following three reasons;

First, I have been growing frustrated lately with the fact that my current role in ministry is heavy on the administrative side. Now don't get me wrong... I believe I have the spiritual gift of administration which has me functioning in my sweet spot daily. BUT... I also believe I possess the spiritual gift of teaching which in turn has me desiring long periods of time (i.e. 1/2 a day) of quiet pouring into a portion of Scripture with all my books cracked open so as to grow and learn. Thus, a few months ago I began praying that God would lead me to a passage of Scripture to work through in greater depth over the next few months.

Secondly, I have been desirous to try studying the Bible deeper in a different way. Over my many years of ministry, I normally hit a passage of Scripture through the preparatory lens of my training. This means that I normally study a passage with the intent of producing a three point sermon all based upon the one big idea! With this one, I am not looking to produce sermon outlines on my computer with nice bullet points and highlights. I am looking to get myself a journal and pen (that's right the old fashioned way) and journal my unfiltered thoughts, insights, challenges from this study so as to capture in writing what God is doing in my heart through this portion of the Bible.

Finally, I believe God has lead me to Proverbs 1-9 for two main reasons. First, I am constantly praying for wisdom based upon the promise of James 1:5-8 for both myself and the team I serve with. I am desirous to grow in my understanding of this Biblical wisdom we pray for so often around our office so as to share what God is teaching me to those I serve with as well. I have also been doing a lot of thinking about a concept from Andy Stanley entitled "The Principle of the Path." It speaks so powerfully to the truth that the path we choose to walk leads to certain outcomes. Thus, I am committed to walking the path of Biblical/Godly wisdom so as to continue seeking to finish well the race God has me on.

For any who read this blog and are desirous to pray for me through this endeavor, I would appreciate it!