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Family Ministry Announcement

I said I would make an announcement about our kids and teen ministry this coming Sunday.  BUT... I can't wait that long!  So...here it is!!!

This fall - starting on September 7 - we will be adding two new ministries to our Sunday morning.

"Club 456" - this will be just for "tweenagers" in Grades 4, 5, and 6.  It will meet in a seperate theater down the same hallway as "Meadow Live".  Read Rachel's blog as she does an awesome job at helping us visualize the need for this new ministry and the dream for what we want it to be.  "Can You Even Begin to Imagine It!"  BTW...most of what she writes came right from a time she had with some 5th & 6th graders.

Youth Venue - this will be just for teens in Grades 7-12.  It will take place in a separate theater down the same hallway as "Meadow Live".  We don't have a name for this youth venue yet, but this will be something the youth team comes up with.  I am excited to also announce that Tim Cline has agreed to lead this new ministry.  Tim has been involved with our teens now on Sunday nights for some time and he has an enormous amount of energy and excitement to take this new ministry to new levels of teens loving life, loving Jesus, and making a difference in their world.  As Tim & I talked, he could hardly contain himself with his dreams and excitement.  This new youth venue will replace our current Sunday night youth ministry.

Now...a key to both of these ministries to flourish and be successful is leadership.  Both of these ideas came out of the heart and passion of Rachel Carlson and her desire for a more unified and full ministry to families.  So, after meeting with her, she has agreed to oversee both Club 456 and Tim with the youth venue.  Rachel has some awesome dreams for the family ministry at Meadow and so to match her new role and her dreams with her title - her new title, beginning immediately, will change from "Director of Children's Ministries" to "Director of Family Ministries".

This is actually something she has been praying about!  I have complete confidence in her and have watched her lead the Sunday morning children's ministry to a level we have never had.  I know she will lead our "Family Ministry" into the future with great leadership.  Please pray for her as this adds responsibility to her plate but we are not increasing her hours or her salary.  She has chosen to take this on out of her love for Christ, her love for Meadow, and her love for families.

Congrats Rachel!  We are praying for you and look forward to what God will use you to do at Meadow!

Rough Few Days

It's been a rough few days - not due to anyone except myself and trying to force some things prematurely.  I'll post on it later - probably several posts.  Here's a few quotes that are teaching me some lessons.

"When the best leader's work is done, the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'"  -  Lao-Tzu

"Never tell people how to do things.  Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."  -  Gen. George S. Patton

"The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it."  -  Theodore Roosevelt

Critical Success Factors

Zero tolerance.  They HAVE to happen.  There are other things which are important, but for Meadow to be successful, these few HAVE to happen - no exceptions.

We HAVE to...

Create a "Wow" Sunday Experience.  This includes doing our absolute best and pouring our resources and prayer and heart into our First Impressions, using pop/rock music, creating a concert/club environment and aesthetics, teaching content that relates to real life and always comes back to and invites peole into a relationship with Jesus (there is absolutely no fudging on this one!), teaching that content in a style that engages and connects, going overboard in our kids ministry with spiritual content and energy and graphics that rivals the hottest kids' shows, printing material (programs, info, flyers, brochures) that is top notch quality ... AND (I am going out on a limb on this one) it involves creating a Sunday morning venue for our teens where they can worship and be taught about a refreshing relationship with Jesus.

Get People TO the Sunday Experience.  This involves every one of us pursuing relationships with those who do not go to church, praying for them, inviting them to Meadow, inviting them BACK to Meadow, and walking with them to full involvement.  THIS IS THE #1 WAY PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT AND COME TO MEADOW!!!  It also involves great marketing through newspaper, community bulletins, direct mail, and other means.  Yes, this costs money and to a lot of people the cost does not equal the return.  But there are 96,000 people in our county who are not in church and we have to invite them.  And a great message presented in a great Sunday experience deserves the best marketing.  Lastly, it involves every one who considers Meadow their church to make it a priority to be here.  You will not grow spiritually and benefit from the experience if you are not here!

Provide Critical Spiritual Growth Opportunities.  This involves three primary implications.  First ... small groups.  We have to build small groups that reflect what the Bereans did in Acts 17:11.  They examined the Bible.  They dug into it and tore it apart to discover God's truth for their lives.  Second ... this involves "Meadowites" (or would that be "Meadowonians"!)  serving in ministry where God has equipped and gifted you to serve.  And third (again I am going to stir the pot here) ... I believe we need to go back (yes, I said go BACK) to a monthly worship event where we spend focused time in worship, prayer, communion, and connecting fellowship.  Now there are several ramifications of this but as good as our worship is on Sunday mornings - it leaves the follower of Christ lacking and thirsting for more.  Corporate worship is critical to a refreshing relationship with Christ.

Now ... for those who come to Meadow, you need to know that we have already begun taking steps to pump more energy and resources into these critical success factors.  Changes are knocking at the door to make these happen.  There have been and will be some more changes in ministry leadership.  There are some things we are pulling the plug on and there are some things we have already begun to add and plan the plan.  These are very exciting times!

Nailing these critical success factors pumps me up!  We are going to be more focused, more effective - and we are going to see more adults, teens, and kids turn to Christ and then grow up in a refreshing relationship with Him!  Dude...I can hardly sleep!

My Whiteboard Dreamlist

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about the whiteboard in my office.  On the far left side is a list.  Some days I add to it.  Some days I remove things from it.  It's my "Dreams/BHAG's" list.  These are the big things I am dreaming about and praying about.  Things I would love to see happen at Meadow.  Things that unless God steps in, they will fail.  Things that are extremely risky.  Some are easily seen on the horizon.  Some are pretty vague and conceptual at this time.  Some would be clear to anyone who reads them.  Some are only clear to me.

How do I decide if something should be removed?  I really don't have an objective list of "criteria" except that I pray about these all the time and as I pray about them, my gut will say "Take that one off.  It's a good idea.  But it's not a God-idea."  I only want to be pursuing "God-ideas" at Meadow.

The risky thing about sharing dreams is that some will join me in dreaming and praying, and some will use it as fodder to criticize or disagree or cast doubt.

Today...here's what's on that list...

• 350 people at Meadow by 1/1/09
• 100 saved & baptized by 1/1/09
• Monthly worship event
• Youth pastor/intern
• New look/environment in theater #6
• New look/environment in MeadowKIDS theaters
• Programming pastor/intern
• Family pastor/intern
• Finish quadrants and fractal diagram of Meadow
• 2 Sunday services
• 3 off-campus sites
• Major marketing initiative this fall
• 15 small groups by 1/1/09
• Systems written
• Financial Peace University
• Sunday A.M. youth/teen venue

If you had a "dream/BHAG" list, what would be on your list?

BTW... "BHAG" stands for Big Hairy Audacious Goal!

On my mind today

"Nothing happens unless first a dream."  -  Carl Sandburg

"How far would Moses have gone if he had taken a poll in Egypt?"  -  Harry S. Truman

Dangerous Sunday

I don't rank Sundays but if I did, today would be a major contender for the top 5!  I have never heard the band rock it out of the park and lead us in worship like they did today.  When they kicked into "Danger Zone", I just had chills up and down my back and the video Dave put together to accompany it - was nothing short of awesome.  Then Perry Noble taught (via video) on "God, Make Us Dangerous" and everyone was totally engaged!  Message has already been uploaded.  You can listen to it here.

The Faith Zone - video teaser

Here's the video teaser for "The Faith Zone" starting in two weeks.

Home!

Just got home.  Outstanding week away.  Here's a run down of the week...

• Weather was outstanding.
• Caught more fish than you could count.
• Won the fishing contest with a 3 lb, 12 oz bass.
• Snapped a pole (on a snag not a fish!)
• Lost 4 really nice spinner baits.
• Had my quiet time every morning on the lakeshore.
• Good 'Ol Days Resort was perfect.
• Couldn't send emails and I actually am living to tell about it. (Hmmm...maybe I can get along without sending emails!)
• Read some great leadership quotes by Rudy Guiliani and started his book called Leadership - so far I am very impressed.
• Ate at Rafferty's Pizza - possibly the best pizza in the world.
• Got a MAJOR sun burn on Wednesday & heat exhaustion from a 34 mile bike ride on Thursday.
• Ate mouth watering fudge from The Chocolote Ox
• Enjoyed worshipping at The Journey church - a new cafe-style church in Nisswa.

Now...I'm pumped about tomorrow at Meadow.  It's only been a week, but I feel like I have been gone forever.  Perry Noble will be challenging us tomorrow and the band has some crankin' music planned.

Lessons from Brett Favre

From Mark Wilson

Farewell to Favre

My 19 year old son, Ryan, said that he has never seen a Packer game without Brett Favre at the helm. It's sure going to be different now, and poor Rogers has some huge shoes to fill.

After pondering over what made Favre such a great champion, here are a few sentimental observations:

1) He Showed up to Play Every Sunday.

Regardless of what was happening in his life (i.e. his father's death and his wife's cancer), he still found a way to get to the game on time.

2) He Played Through the Hurts.

I've watched just about every Packer game since Favre's debut. I've seen him clobbered, hammered, hamstrung, smashed, and boggled. Yet, Brett kept getting back on his feet again. Remember the year when he played half a season with a broken thumb? Somehow, the desire for victory was far greater than the physical pain.

3) He Took Risks and Made Plenty of Mistakes.

Not only does he hold the career touchdown record, he holds the interception record as well. You can't win big by playing it safe. Consider the turtle, who makes no progress until he sticks his neck out. Brett stuck his neck out all the time.

On countless occasions, I've seen him do something crazy, and yelled, "NO!! NO!! DON'T DO THAT!!" But then, it's the crazy passes, completed as touchdowns which will go down in history as the greatest and most memorable.

4) After He Blew It, He Shook it Off.

Nothing could rattle his confidence. On the next set of downs after an interception, he'd throw deep (and crazy) again. Favre didn't allow failure to be final and always believed that setbacks are supposed to be followed by come-backs.

He never blamed others for his mistakes, and always took responsibility for losses on the field.

5) He Inspired the Team.

Brett always had a good word of encouragement for the younger guys around him. I remember when Ryan Longwell, as a rookie kicker, muffed an easy field goal against the Eagles, and lost the game. The crowd booed. Favre went over to his dejected teammate and said, "Hey, don't worry about it. It's not your fault. We lost this thing together."

6) He Kept Smiling.

The thing I appreciated most about Brett Favre was his enthusiasm and love for football. Most of the time, he really enjoyed himself and was glad to be there (There were a few exceptions, such as the ice bowl in Chicago, but normally, he'd grin for at least three quarters, anyhow!) Brett's lighthearted spirit was contagious. Win or lose, it was still a good game.

7) He Didn't Quit Until the Clock Ran Out.

Many players give up when the tide turns against them, but not Brett Favre! He played his heart out every second of every down in the game. Perhaps that's why he led his team to so many last second comeback victories.

Reasons Why Marriages Get Into Trouble

From Perry Noble.  (Perry will be speaking - via video - at Meadow this Sunday for week #3 in our OnePrayer series.)

Seven Reasons Why Marriages Get Into Trouble

Since we are in the middle of a relationship series targeted towards men I thought I would share seven reasons why I feel that marriages wind up getting into trouble.

#1 - Unrealistic Expectations

When a person goes into a marriage thinking the following…there is trouble on the way…

“I know he/she isn’t exactly what I want right now–but marriage will change them.” (Hint–if you aren’t ready to commit to them as they are–DON’T COMMIT!)

• “This person will make me happy.”
• “I know he/she cheats on me now, but when we get married they will stop.”
• “I know he/she talks to me like I am garbage right now, but when we get married they will see the value in me.”
• “We’re going to have sex ALL OF THE TIME!” (Singles–marriage is about A LOT more than just sex!)

#2 - Ignoring The “Gut Check” Before The Marriage.

I have spoken to lots of people who have unfortunately experienced divorce–and nearly every single one of them, when I pressed down on the issue, has said that they knew before they got married that they should not have–but wanted to go ahead and go through with it to save themselves from the embarrassment.

If you KNOW it’s wrong–better a little embarrassment now than a lot of pain later.

#3 - Unwillingness To Work Through Issues

Married couples have their issues–that is just the way it is; however, the people you know that have strong marriages work through their issues. They talk honestly and openly with one another–they hold true to Ephesians 4:26-29.

Once again–they talk TO ONE ANOTHER, not ABOUT ONE ANOTHER. They don’t go to their Bible study, accountability partner to bash their spouse…they sit down like a real man and woman and work it out!

#4 - The Other Person Becomes Unimportant

When work, hobbies or the kids replace the importance of the spouse then bad times are sure to follow. It’s work…but the marriage MUST remain the most important relationship on the planet.

#5 - The Greener Grass Syndrome

When a man/woman begins looking at “other options” and fantasizing about them–THAT is always trouble. The line between fantasy and reality become blurred…and often lines are crossed because a person will think, “I’ve done it wrong in this marriage…but he/she is my chance to start over and it will be wonderful.”

Hey, guess what–the grass IS greener on the other side–but ONLY because it happens to be over the septic tank!

#6 - Money

I have seen more couples have the dumbest arguments over money. A couple will “fall in love” with each other and then “fall in love” with stuff, thus going out and accumulating debt in massive amounts so that they can have in three years what it took their parents 30 years to accumulate!

If a couple isn’t doing the budget thing and having honest discussions about financial priorities–it WILL wreak havoc on the marriage.

#7 - Church/Godly Influences Are Pushed Out Of Their Lives

I’ve seen it so many times…a couple will be doing wonderful…involved in church, establishing solid friendships–until, one of them (usually the man) gets “busy” with work…the lady tries to hang in there without him for a while–but eventually become discouraged and gives up. Next thing you know they have absolutely NOTHING in common & wind up being strangers sleeping in the same bed.

There is something absolutely amazing about connecting on a spiritual level–going to church and praying together, having godly friends that will encourage and support you. I know that this is HUGE for ‘Cretia and I! I just don’t think we were called to do life alone. (Hebrews 10:24-25.)

Could Be the Winner!

The contest isn't over until Friday, but this is the biggest fish so far!

Ten Questions

Here are a few questions I have rolling around my brain this week.  Questions we all should be asking ourselves.

From Craig Groeschel

Ten Questions

1. Is our vision so big that we obviously can't accomplish it without God?
2. Am I doing ministry from memory or from fresh direction from God?
3. What ministry (or program or meeting) has lost its effectiveness and should be stopped?
4. Is there a person who needs to be moved to another role (or removed), and I haven't done it?
5. What faith risk is God calling me to take?
6. Have I repented to my team at least once in the last year for a failure in leadership?
7. Have I done everything in my power to make sure my team is living without unconfessed sin?
8. Am I expressing love and care for my team members' families?
9. Am I living with delayed obedience toward God in any area of leadership?
10. Is Jesus my sole motivation for ministry or has my motivation become clouded?

Something to Chew On

From Seth Godin's  Is it Worthy?

"The object isn’t to be perfect. The goal isn’t to hold back until you’ve created something beyond reproach. I believe the opposite is true. Our birthright is to fail and to fail often, but to fail in search of something bigger than we can imagine. To do anything else is to waste it all."

The Stupid Alarm

I hate waking up to the alarm in the morning.  It stinks.  It goes off at 5:30 AM and it startles me, upsets me, hurts my brain!  I want to say in bed!  I want to stay underneath the covers where it is warm and comfortable and I can relax and be safe.  And when I do get up - don't talk to me until after I take a shower and have a cup of coffee.  I'm not a happy person - probably because of the stupid alarm clock waking me up!

(I am on vacation this week and one thing I DID NOT bring along is an alarm clock!)

But...if I stay in bed - I get nothing done.  My day will be unproductive.  I will fulfill nothing but being lazy (I know, some days that sounds like heaven!)  I will go no where.  I will see no one.  I would not experience a great day and the great life that awaits me.  I would never really "live" if I stayed in bed.

This is exactly how it is so often in living out our faith in Jesus and becoming more like Him.  There are times something is said to me, something I see, maybe something I read in the Bible or hear in church that is like an alarm clock in my life and I am forced to "wake up".  But I hate waking up.  It upsets me, makes me mad, hurts my brain.  I want my life to stay as it is - comfortable, safe.  But staying there means I won't be productive.  God is calling me to a higher way of living where I will be like Him and be used by Him to make a real difference.  Staying asleep makes no difference anywhere.

Can I be honest?  I love reading my Bible.  I really love it.  But there are a lot of times - A LOT of times what I read is like an alarm clock and I have to "wake up" to follow through on a higher way of living - a way of living God is calling me to.  Do I like being woke up?  Nope.  But, once I get over being upset and my brain hurting - I discover a level of living that I would never go back to.

Two days ago, we were challenged by Ed Young to "Wake Up".  Too often we are asleep in knowing Christ, asleep in sowing our time and talents and treasures to build God's kingdom, and asleep in growing in our relationship with Christ through serving.  It was a powerful message.  You can listen to it here... God, Make Us Wake Up.

What is God asking you to "wake up" about?  It hurts - right?  You don't like being woke up - right?  If it's something you read in the Bible, you are thinking of not reading your Bible anymore or trying to find another passage that will prove that verse wrong.  If it's something you heard in church, you are thinking of leaving church and finding another church where you aren't "alarmed" to "wake up".  If it's something you heard in your community group, well, you just will stop going.  If it's something someone said to you, you will avoid that person.

But here's the bottom line...if you don't wake up, you will never live.  God alarms us from time to time to wake us up to live a level and life we would never live if we stayed the same.  Stay asleep in bed where it is comfortable and safe.  Fine.  But you will miss out on a greater life.  Wake up ... hurt for a little bit - but then you begin living the life God wants you to live.  A life you will never regret and never ever want to go back to sleeping.

Lean Into It

From Steven Furtick

Lean Into It

Chances are there’s a relational confrontation that you’re attempting to avoid right now.  Stop hiding from it.  Instead, lean into it.  You’ll come out on the other side with a stronger relationship (best case), or realizing that the relationship is no longer worth investing in (still a valuable outcome).  Either way, relational progress is never achieved by bobbing and weaving.

I’ll also make a wild guess that God may be initiating a transition in an area of your life these days.  (Because that’s what He does.)  If God is urging you to leave behind a current way of doing things-and this could be something as major as your career path or as seemingly detailed as your daily schedule-don’t fight against Him.  When you feel the internal pull to abandon a comfort zone for greener pastures, the worst thing you can do is put on the parking brake.  Ask the children of Israel, who managed to turn a 3 day journey into a 40 year holding pattern.
Running away will keep you grounded.
Only when you lean into your change can God propel you to a higher place.

Vacation - Day 1

It's raining right now - so I thought I would jot down a few thoughts about what has already been two awesome days away.

We are staying at Good Old Days Resort in Nisswa.  The initials are G.O.D., so it has to be almost heaven - right?  Last night, I went out to check the lake out and caught a 3.5 lb and 2 lb. bass (oh...and a small sunfish but that was just so my daughter didn't feel left out!).

Today started exactly as I was hoping - up early, cup of coffee, sitting by the lake, sun coming up, reading my Bible - just me, God, my Bible, and a couple of loons.  He is really doing some work in my life on the issue of pleasing people vs pleasing God.  This morning, reading in Romans, Galatians, and Psalms was awesome.

We went to a small church.  Totally cool to sit together as a family from start to finish - that never happens.  Super new church (about 5 yrs old) that acquired and old church building and have done some really cool things with creating an relaxed, unplugged atmosphere.

Pastor spoke on hell (no connection to Father's Day - I think!).  Going to another church and listening to another pastor speak is tough for me but today I actually did pretty good to NOT think about Meadow ... except the time at 9:30 I prayed for Meadow, oh - and at 9:40 when I prayed for the band at Meadow, and, oops again at 10:00 when I prayed for everyone to hear the words of Ed Young.  Other than that, I did pretty good - oh, wait, one more thing - as the pastor was speaking I did lay out a 4 week teaching series I will probably do early next year.

Well...looks like the rain is letting up, and the lake is calling me.

Amazing Driving

Okay...the music is really cheesy.  I think something from Wolfmother or Queen would have been better.  BUT...the driving is totally amazing!

"Wake Up" Sunday

I just finished experiencing Ed Young's message which we will be hearing this Sunday.  It's the second message in the OnePrayer series.  His message is "God, make us wake up." - and this is a powerful message.  Ed is the Lead Pastor at Fellowship Church in the Dallas area and he is one of the absolute best communicators in the United States today.

If you are in town, you need to be at Meadow for this.  You NEED to be at Meadow.

The Office

I know you are losing sleep wondering "Just what does John's office look like?"  Well, lose sleep no more.  I LOVE my office - it is VERY cool.

Four More Days

We are three days into people coming to my blog and asking their friends to come here.  Remember, every new "hit" is one more "hit" closer to a shaved head.  I haven't tallied the hits yet.  Four more days.

If you are reading this for the first time - this is for Relay for Life.  Read the original post here that explains this crazy thing I am doing.

Copy the web address and send it to all your friends.

The post on eliminating credit card debt is one that everyone could benefit from.  Send it and ask your friends to check it out.

Here's the email one friend sent out to her friends..."Will you visit my pastor's blog, so we can get him to shave his head??????"

If you want to join the fun and match my commitment (.25/hit) let me know!

"But what if it's too much?", you say.  I say, "C'mon!  Have some fun!  Loosen up!  If it's too much, you can join me on the side of the road with a sign that says, 'Will blog for food!'"