Making Disciples

I'm previewing Leading Life-Changing Small Groups by Bill Donahue as a potential leadership guide for our small group leaders. The following paragraph jumped out to me...

"It is easy to have group meetings - it is harder to make disciples. Small group leaders serve in a spirit of commitment, not convenience. It takes courage, resolve, and perseverance when you are disappointed or weary. Leaders remain committed to the cause, to Christ, to the church, and to the people in their group. Are you willing to do what it takes to effectively lead and care for your people?"

Great challenge to all of us who serve as small group leaders!

Leadership Community Feedback

Here are some quotes from the feedback forms about this morning's Leadership Community...

What part of the gathering was most helpful to you?

• That we took time to discuss and learn together
• Meeting and worshiping with other leaders
  
• Large group - about all working together as one
• Enjoyed gathering group together and hearing stories of difference Little Oaks/Upstreet make in life of children
• Vision, Direction
• The direction/vision of the church. Very motivating morning!
• Visuals
• I enjoyed all of it. I really appreciated the time Bill & Chris spent talking about the vision.
• Hearing the leadership's vision. Spending time in the Word.
• The visual demonstrations were awesome!
• I was pleased overall, and look forward to the next time. Thank you!
• This is the first time I've been invited to a directional leadership meeting, and I'm 61. Thanks - very much appreciated.
• The time helped to get focused for starting a new group...challenged me personally.
• Understanding slow drift!
• Breakout sessions (several people listed this as the most helpful part)
  
• I think it was great. I love to hear stories; they help me to relate the point that is being taught to my own situation.
• I think the leadership training is great! I'm very much looking forward to the next session in May.

What would you improve/change for the next gathering?

• Chris has on a NY Giants t-shirt!
• Have Diet Mountain Dew
• Wear warmer socks (I'm pretty sure that wasn't directed towards me or any of the other presenters... how would they know if our feet were cold?!?)

First Leadership Community

We've got the first one under our belt! It was a great success with a lot of positive comments on the feedback forms. I'll share some of those later tonight. Right now, it's time for lunch and a little bit of rest...

A big thanks goes out to all of the pastors, staff members, and volunteers who went above and beyond to make this first gathering a home run!

Here We Go

It's 6:30am, and I am sitting in my office at the church. T-minus 60 minutes before Leadership Community begins. Right now, it is quiet and peaceful in the church.

The volunteers will start showing up soon to get breakfast ready, turn the lights on, crank the heat, and double-check that everything is in place.

The leaders will start showing up around 7:30am for breakfast. Music will be cranked. Videos will be played. Talks will be held. Fun will be had. Chaos may reign.

I'm ready...bring it on!

I Need a Nap

Tomorrow morning is our first Leadership Community gathering at Great Oaks. I am extremely jacked about the potential this gathering has for the church. There is so much momentum and energy lost when leaders are not on the same page and when they are not trained and encouraged. This quarterly gathering will play a major role in moving Great Oaks into the preferred future that God has painted for us.

It is a lot of work, though. My entire week has been focused on getting everything ready for tomorrow morning. I came into the office today (normally my day off) for about 9 hours of organizing, copying, assembling, writing, praying, etc. A number of other people - staff and volunteers - have also put in countless hours getting ready for tomorrow morning.

Right now, I'm at The Blend getting ready to go over my presentations one more time. I need a nap...do you think anyone would notice if I curled up in the fetal position on this bench?

Mark Driscoll

Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, was in Peoria today. He spoke at Riverside Community Church which sponsors one-day events with a vision to "partner with area churches and pastors and grow in relationship together, as we all work to advance the cause of Christ in our communities."

I really enjoyed Mark's presentation on keeping Christ and the Cross at the center of our preaching and teaching. I felt like I was back in seminary, but I absolutely loved it. I'll post some thoughts from his presentation early next week. I've got to keep focused on Leadership Community for this weekend...

Leadership Community

This Saturday, we are launching a new quarterly gathering of our leaders and key-influencers called Leadership Community. It will be a time of worship, celebration, vision-casting, leadership teaching, team-building activities, and ministry-specific breakout sessions.

I am really looking forward to this quarterly gathering. It is going to keep our leaders aligned with our vision and informed about our future. We will be candid and transparent with them about what's working and what's not working.

This gathering has the potential to ensure that Great Oaks remains a movement rather than becoming an institution. An institution informs and educates people about a certain topic. A movement results in the mobilization of a people to impact their community and their world. Which would you rather be a part of?

Vegas Recap

Day #1
Afraid to miss alarm
Little sleep
Early morning
Pick up Dan
Fill-up car with gas
Drive to airport
Board plane
Call Karen
Cramped legs
Reading transcripts
Study Galatians 3
Journal
Watching Bourne Identity on iPod
No free water on plane
Arrive in Vegas half-hour late
Call Karen
See Loren
Big smile
Bigger hug
Deanna's great cooking
Arrive at Central
Sit in Jon's office
Talk shop
Meet pastors
Observe class
Talk shop
Sad news
Drive to the Strip
Walk through casinos
Top of Eiffel Tower
Ignore "handouts" on Strip
Turn down immoral offer
Watch fountains at Bellagio
Return to house tired
Eat food
Fall asleep before head hits pillow

Day #2
Wake sooner than want
Migraine developing
Snow on mountains in Vegas
Great coffee
Awesome breakfast
Deal or No Deal (Tivo)
Arrive at Central
Purchase books in bookstore
Tour building
Talk shop
Mexican food for lunch
Migraine gone
Drop off at airport
Big hugs
Sad goodbyes
Promise to return soon
Long wait in security
Call Karen
Finish Bourne Identity
Buy snacks and drink for plane
Board plane
Cramped legs
Read Sex God
Listen to Perry Noble podcast
Arrive in Peoria 20 minutes early
Call Karen
COLD walk to car
Drop Dan off
Arrive home
Check email
Read blogs
Post blog
Going to bed

Traveling Light

Dan Baker and I are heading to Vegas tomorrow morning for a whirlwind two days of networking, observing, and meetings. We leave tomorrow around 8:30am and will be returning on Thursday around 10:00pm. I'm traveling light... one change of clothes, a notebook, my Bible & journal, and my iPod.

I am really looking forward to learning once again from Jon, Chris, and some of the rest of the crew at Central Christian Church. And I get to stay at the Trethewey B&B and have some of Deanna's amazing biscuits-and-gravy!

Keep us in your prayers...

Just Walk Across the Room

I set aside some extended time today to read Hybel's latest work, Just Walk Across the Room. It is a must-read for all Christ-followers! This book focuses on the need and simplicity of practicing relational evangelism. I would share some more insights, but I am teaching on this topic in two weeks. I've got to save my thoughts until after that time!

Here are some notable quotes, though...

• "Life's great moments evolve from simple acts of cooperation with God's mysterious promptings."
• "The only thing you need in order to sustain...evangelism year after year is an ear fine-tuned to the promptings of the Holy Spirit."
• "Being walk-across-the-room people means that we walk when the Spirit tells us to walk, and we don't walk when the Spirit says not to."
• "Jesus had an uncanny ability to look past the obvious flaws in people's lives and envision who they could become if the power of God were released in their lives."
• "I envy those of you who work in the marketplace day in and day out, almost entirely surrounded by people far from God."
• "As Christ's followers, we're accountable for regularly moving in circles with people far from God, uncovering their stories with compassion and grace, and then naturally and consistently making ourselves available when God opens a door of opportunity."
• "My daily goal as a follower of Christ - to be acutely aware of God's activity in this world and to be willing for him to use me in accomplishing some part of it, be it large or small."
• "The spread of the Gospel boils down to whether you and I will continue to seek creative ways to engage our friends, inviting them to explore the abundance of Christ-following life and helping them choose eternity with God."
  
• "If you ever hope to lead people to Christ, you have to be a person devoted to prayer.

On a side note, this is one more book down...only 27.5 more books to go to meet my goal of 30 books this year!

Made To Stick

I finished Made to Stick this afternoon. It was definitely worth the time as it is insanely practical and immediately applicable to my context as a leader and teacher. The core of the book is that to make an idea/message stick it needs to be...

• Simple
• Unexpected
• Concrete
• Credible
• Emotional
• (Involve) Stories
  

I am going to need some additional time to explore the deeper levels of application, though. It may have been better to read the book one chapter at a time with extended time for reflection and application rather than reading it straight through.

Overall, I would recommend this book for all leaders and communicators.

Currently Reading

Since I finished The Year of Biblically Living last night, I am moving on to my next read - Made to Stick. This is a highly recommended book for people who are trying to communicate new ideas, vital messages, and key strategies. I'll let you know my thoughts once I complete it.

So what are you reading right now? What books would you recommend I read in 2009? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. Thanks!

Small Group Leaders as...Shepherds

There is a story told of two shepherds walking along the same trail while their sheep mingled together into one large flock. As they approached a fork in the road and were preparing to part ways, each shepherd began calling his own sheep. Immediately, the sheep separated into two distinct flocks and followed their personal shepherd down the appropriate path.

John 10:3b-4 "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice."

Leading a small group is a lot like being a shepherd. You have a distinct voice that your small group leaders know and follow. Over time, they come to trust you and follow your leadership. They know that you will watch out for them, feed them, and guide them safely through the wilderness of life.

As the church grows larger, it is vital that we also grow smaller. As weekend attendance increases and more people become a part of the life of the church, we have to become a church built completely on small groups. Only then will we be able to expand our influence and care to more and more people. This is where the role of the small group leader becomes like a shepherd.

As a small group leader, you are the "pastor" of your flock. It is your responsibility to make sure they are growing in their faith and in relationship with God and each other. It is your responsibility to make sure they are actively participating in the life of the church. And if something happens in their life, it is your responsibility to make sure the entire small group comes around them for support, prayer, and encouragement.

We must grab hold of this role as shepherds for our small groups so that the church can continue to grow and maintain its health. The responsibility for shepherding the church cannot - and must not - fall completely on the shoulders of the pastors. We will fail as a church if we place that burden on the pastors alone. We must challenge and teach our people that when their small group comes around them to help them in their time of need and to help them grow spiritually, they have been shepherded by the church.

How's your flock doing? Do they hear your voice speaking into their lives? Do they feel protected and cared for as a result of your leadership?

Exponential Reflections: Misc

We had several speakers on the second day of the Exponential Conference including Rick Warren, Allen Hunt, John Ortberg, and several other pastors from various churches around the country. Here are some thoughts from their talks...

• "The purpose of influence is to speak up for those who have no influence." (Warren)
• "God may use me, but he doesn't need me." (Hunt)
• "Simplicity, contentment & generosity...these three traits should mark all of us." (Quote from John Stott)
• "Generosity is the new evangelism."
• "We all possess a kingdom - a sphere of personal power. Money is the primary way we expand our kingdom." (Ortberg)
  

Exponential Reflections: Joe Stowell

Joe Stowell is the former president of Moody Bible Institute and is currently teaching pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows. Here are some thoughts from his presentation...

• Generosity isn't just about money. It is a whole-life perspective.
• Your church never looks more like God than when it exudes generosity.
• The goal of being a generous church is to bring honor and glory to God.
• Glorifying God is making the invisible characteristics of God visible within the world.
• To glorify God is to be chips off of God's block.
• To glorify God is to make God evident in the world.
• The heartbeat of stewardship is trust.
  

Exponential Reflections: Chuck Bentley

Chuck Bentley is the new CEO of Crown Ministries. Here are some thoughts from his presentation...

• Generosity is the greatest cure for apathy.
• Too often, we practice "transactional generosity" - asking people to give more because of a specific need. God didn't call us to this practice; He calls us to a lifestyle of "transformational generosity" - sustained generous giving because our lives have been transformed.
  

Exponential Reflections: Rick Warren

Rick welcomed us to the conference and shared a few thoughts. He will be speaking at length during the first session tomorrow morning. Here are my thoughts from his opening comments...

• Give and Serve are the two words that best describe the Christian life. Jesus came to serve and to give. We are simply to model that lifestyle.
• You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.
• Every time I give, it breaks the stranglehold of materialism in my heart.
• You don't give to be blessed; you give to be a blessing.
  

Exponential Reflections

Bill & I have been enjoying the Exponential Conference at Saddleback. The speakers have been humorous, poignant, and challenging. The worship led by Lincoln Brewster has been amazing!

When we arrived, we walked into the auditorium to find hundreds of round tables set up throughout the multi-purpose auditorium. After walking among the tables for a little bit looking for someplace to sit, we sat down with two other pastors towards the back of the room. I introduced myself by my first name and asked them where they were from.

"Peoria" one of them replied.

"IL?" I said.

"Yeah...you know of it?" the other one replied.

"Yeah...we are at a church in Germantown Hills. Where are you guys?"

"Faith in Washington!" one of them said.

We travel all the way to California to sit down at a table with two pastors from a church just five miles away from ours...God has a sense of humor!

I'm going to post some thoughts from the various speakers in following posts...

Heading to SoCal

Bill & I are heading to Southern California today for the Exponential Conference at Saddleback Community Church. I am looking forward to finally seeing this church for myself. I'll keep you posted on take-aways from the conference...

Small Group Leader's Meeting

A big thanks goes out to all of you who were able to attend the leader's meeting yesterday. Personally, I think our first meeting went very well. There is a lot more we need to discuss, but I didn't want to overload my leaders with too much information at once. If you attended the meeting yesterday, post a comment below to let me know one or two take-aways from our conversations.

For those of you that weren't able to make it, here is a summary of what we discussed...

TEAM-BUILDING
We utilized our Jimmy John's boxed-lunches to build devices that would hold a raw egg and keep it from being broken when dropped from the balcony in the auditorium. The take-away was that we are to create small group environments where people are cared for and protected as they grow in their faith and knowledge.

WITH or OF...
I shared that we need to become a church OF small groups rather than a church WITH small groups. In the latter, small groups are simply one of many options for people to get involved in. In the former, small groups become the foundation for spiritual growth and connection within the church. The goal of the church is to move people from our weekend worship services (foyer) to medium-sized gatherings such as MarriedLife Live and Starting Point (living room) and eventually to small groups (kitchen).

However, small groups are not the end. They are simply a means to the desired end which is helping people become fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ. This is critical to understand because we don't want our success to be defined by the number of people in small groups. We want our success to be defined by how much people are growing and how healthy the church is becoming because of doing life together in small groups. (Read Acts 2:42-47)

DUAL OBJECTIVES
We reviewed the two primary objectives of small groups - spiritual growth and authentic community. As leaders, we need to establish groups where people experience a high level of discipleship and caring. If we lean too far one direction or the other, we miss the mark. (Read Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16)

PURPOSE DRIVEN
Another important part of our structure for small groups at Great Oaks is to balance the five purposes within the context of small group life. We discussed the idea of identifying individuals within each group who would champion one of the purposes. We also highlighted the fact that you will not experience all five purposes in a single gathering, but they should all be evident and balanced over the life-span of the group. (Read Matthew 22:37-40; 28:19-20)