Morgan's Birthday Party

We celebrated Morgan's 3rd birthday today with a small get-together with family. Karen prepared a great brunch with two different egg casseroles and homemade coffee-cake. I don't think we will be eating anymore eggs and butter for a long time!

Morgan was certainly dressed for the occasion; I'm still amazed at how much pink and purple a little girl needs!!!

Be Interesting

I like this post by Seth Godin...

It reminds me that we don't have to be perfect in our services and programming in the church, but we do have to be interesting. In the words of Chip & Dan Heath (authors of Made to Stick), one of the keys to making a message stick in the minds and hearts of people is that it should be unexpected (i.e. interesting).

What we do should have people talking... not about us but about Jesus Christ.

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!

2008 NAMM Show

My good friend, Steve Osborne, is going to be working the 2008 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California this week. He is helping a friend who works for Seymour Duncan, one of the leading manufacturers of guitar pickups and stompboxes. (I have no idea what those things are...I just took that straight from their website.)

Why am I writing about this on my blog? Because one of the musicians who uses Seymour Duncan's gear is Slash from Guns N' Roses, and he is going to be at the NAMM Show this week! Steve is going to meet Slash!!!

I was (okay...still am) a huge Guns N' Roses fan. I know, I know...I'm a pastor, and the lyrics aren't always the best. But I grew up on 80's heavy metal before I became a Christian. It's hard to not think of the glory days in high school when Welcome to the Jungle or Paradise City come on the radio. And who doesn't love Sweet Child O' Mine and Patience?

I went with my older brother and sister to see Guns N' Roses and Skid Row in concert when I was sixteen. It was pretty memorable because I almost got in a fight with some drunk guy because he was becoming a little too enamored with my sister!

I can't wait to see if Steve is able to get a picture with Slash. I asked him to bring me back a signed guitar pick or something. We'll see if he is able to come through for me...

Paying Respects

I arrived at the church today in time to pay my respects to a fallen soldier - Pfc. Phillip Pannier. He was a 2006 graduate of Roanoke-Benson High School. He was killed in Iraq by enemy fire last Tuesday along with two other soldiers in his unit.

The funeral procession - which consisted of fire, police, ambulatory, family, friends, and veterans - passed in front of the church on Route 116 about 11:15am. The staff and a few other individuals stood alongside the road to pay our respects and display our gratitude to the family and friends of Phillip.

I didn't know Phillip, but I am thankful that men and women like him are willing to pay the ultimate price to protect people who cannot protect themselves and to provide the freedoms that I continue to enjoy in this country. My prayers are with his family and the rest of our armed forces around the world.

Weekend in Review :: 01-13-08

This was our second week of the Foundations series where we explain who we are and how we do church. Nate and the band hit a home run this morning with the worship. Inspiring. Authentic. Personal. Corporate. Amazing.

As I said last night, I was really looking forward to teaching this morning. I've received positive comments from a number of people. Most of all, I am pleased that it is sparking conversations among people as they talk about where they are in their spiritual growth.

WORSHIP
Because of Your Love - Paul Baloche
Everyday - Lincoln Brewster
Hungry - Kathryn Scott
Hosanna - Paul Baloche

MESSAGE
Series: Foundations
Message: Stages of Spiritual Growth
Speaker: Chris Genders
Notable Quotes...
"The church can only take you so far in your spiritual growth. At some point, you have to accept responsibility for your own spiritual growth."
"Spiritual growth is ultimately about loving God and loving people."
"The universal church has failed you...we have told you that you should be dependent upon us to feed you. If you are Close to Christ or Christ-Centered, you should be feeding yourself."
"No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, you have a next step to take to becoming more like Christ."

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• MarriedLife Live - Saturday, January 26th - tickets on sale beginning today
• Sexual Revolution - February teaching series - invite cards available now

Tomorrow Morning

I am teaching tomorrow morning on the Stages of Spiritual Growth. I am looking forward to this message because I get to challenge the church with this Big Idea...

The church can only take you so far in your spiritual growth. At some point, you have to accept responsibility for your own spiritual growth.

I'll let you know how it goes!

It's Hard Sometimes

For those of you who know my current reality, keep me in your prayers. Every now and again it gets really tough emotionally. Thanks...

2008 Goals - Update

A couple of weeks ago I posted a few goals for 2008. I thought I would give a quick update...

• I re-read the Reveal study from Willow Creek last week. I don't know if it counts as a book, though. Maybe half a book.
  
• I just finished The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World. This was written by A.J.Jacobs... the guy who wrote The Year of Living Biblically which I read and blogged about in December. Only 28.5 more books to read...
  
• I have had offers to travel internationally from friends in Indonesia and Belgium (a personal invite to attend a friend's wedding!). And I think a voicemail I received today (which I haven't checked yet) has the potential to put a trip to Brazil on the horizon.


• I've written a few different entries for a men's devotional book, but I keep thinking I should be writing something more profound (is that prideful/egotistical?). I have several book ideas I keep in a file on my computer, and I am always up for new ideas. I think I just need to commit to one book and move forward.

The Sound of Students

I am sitting in my office this Friday morning getting ready to rehearse my message for Sunday. Outside in the foyer, about 40 Middle School students are milling about getting ready to board a charter bus bound for Michigan. They are heading up to Miracle Camp (our church camp) for a weekend conference.

I've always loved hanging out with students and helping them navigate their way through life. I got my start in ministry back in 1998 as an Interim Student Minister at Fox Valley Christian Church. Even after I became a pastor to adults, I would volunteer during week-long High School conferences. I loved having extended time to hang out with the students, and they were always more open to spiritual conversations when they weren't in their normal routine.

Have a great trip guys! Lead on Jason...

Waiting for a Thud

I'm sitting downstairs in my family room waiting to hear a big THUD from above me...

Ethan has outgrown his bed, so we moved in a "big kid" bed we purchased at a garage sale this summer. It has legs ("Hey, I can put stuff under my bed!") and includes a box-spring and mattress. As a result it is about 2.5 times taller than his previous bed.

The problem lies with the fact that Ethan has a tendency to fall out of his bed about once a week. Sometimes he doesn't even wake up; we find him lying there on the floor with one leg still up on the bed. He'll definitely wake up if he falls out of this bed!

On a side note, I have one more coat of white paint to put on Ethan's old bed before we move it into Morgan's room tomorrow night. This is her last night in her crib!!!

American Gladiators...again

Evidently my good friend and former ministry partner, Jim Clark, doesn't agree with my sentiment for the new American Gladiator show. Check out his comments here...

Weekend in Review :: 01-06-08

We launched a new series called Foundations this weekend. It is a four-week series covering the four primary strategic components of Great Oaks Community Church (i.e. who we are and how we do church). I wrote earlier about our new mission statement that Bill introduced. It has continued to take hold in the lives and language of our people.

WORSHIP
Salvation is Here - Hillsong
King of Majesty - Hillsong
Jesus Love of My Soul - Hillsong
Mighty to Save - Hillsong
The Solid Rock - Charlie Hall

MESSAGE
Series: Foundations
Message: Five Purposes
Speaker: Bill White

Notable Quotes...
"GOCC exists to help people take their next step towards God."
"Stress & worry are warning lights that you are disconnected from God."
"There is something more important than tolerance - Truth."
"What's your next step?"

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Class 101, 201, 301 next Sunday, January 13th. Contact the church office at 383-4330 to register.
• MarriedLife Live - Saturday, January 26th - tickets on sale beginning next Sunday
• Sexual Revolution - February teaching series - invite cards available next Sunday
  

American Gladiators

I am watching the new American Gladiators with Hulk Hogan & Laila Ali as the hosts. I used to watch this show ALL the time when I was younger. (Is it just me or does this remind anyone of the game they played in the Schwarzenegger classic, Running Man?)

I will finally admit publicly that I am so excited it is back on TV. Karen was a little suspicious the other night when she caught me watching the commercial instead of paying attention to what she was telling me. Of course, this happens anytime a TV is on within 50 yards of me. (Don't ever try to have a conversation with me at Buffalo Wild Wings; I'll hear every other sentence!)

So I'm watching it tonight and these two women just finished The Eliminator, the major obstacle course at the end. The winner was asked how she was feeling after completing the course. She replied, "I'm tired. My entire body hurts, but this is so awesome!"

I so want to compete on this show...

Next Step

We had an all-day Leadership Retreat yesterday during which we reviewed 2007 and discussed our strategic plan for 2008. One of the changes we made was a re-write on our mission statement for the church. The old mission statement was good but not memorable. It was also limited in its focus. The new mission statement - "helping people take their next step towards God" - is simple, memorable, and active. It is also unlimited in its focus; everybody has a "next step" to take in their faith.

Bill introduced it this morning during the first Sunday of our vision series called Foundations. I have been blown away at how many people are talking about this phrase. It came up in numerous conversations during the morning, and it was a key discussion point during small group tonight.

People are truly resonating with this phrase. There is some definite buzz happening in the church today. I am excited to see how this small but significant change affects the church!

2008 Goals

I'm not one for resolutions, but I believe strongly in setting goals. And there is something powerful and convicting about writing them down. So, for 2008, here are some of my goals...

• Write a book
  
• Establish regular Father/Son Mentoring (FSM) times with Ethan
• Read 30+ books
• Establish a leadership development small group at GOCC
• Experience 20 things I've never done before
• Travel internationally - for work or pleasure
• Study Islam for myself
• Take two multi-day wilderness trips
• Increase my regular giving beyond the tithe
  

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.

Merry Christmas!

It has been a whirlwind 48 hours around here! Here are some reflections as I sit in my family room at 10:40pm on Christmas Day...

• We spent the night at Karen's parents house last night. It was great to spend some extended time with her family.
• I read the Luke 2 story of Jesus' birth to the kids on Christmas Eve. It was difficult to stay upbeat about it since I had to stop the EXCESSIVE whining of a certain 6 year-old because he thought it was going to be a "really long story."
• I went to FVCC for their 7:00pm Christmas Eve service. It was a little weird walking through the doors of the church as something other than a member or pastor. The last time I did that was in 1996 when we were just checking them out.
• I got to hang out with Steve and the band before and after the service. I love praying with the band before they take the stage and then hanging out just chillin' in the green room after the service.
  
• I love seeing Christmas and Santa through the eyes of my kids. The excitement and wonder of it all just blows me away!
  
• My big Christmas present was my kayak, so there wasn't much under the tree for me this morning. Not a big deal because I am jacked about getting the kayak out on the water in the spring.
  
• I love my mother-in-law's breakfast casserole!!!
• We went into Chicago for another Christmas celebration with Karen's extended family. Lots of Polish food and memories.
  
• Karen's aunt & uncle and cousins from Indiana always come up. Her cousin, Carly, was our flower girl in our wedding. She is now 17 and looking at colleges! When did I get so old?!?
• We are back home now. The kids are asleep. It is quiet. It is nice. I'm going to bed. Goodnight and Merry Christmas!
  

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!

The Year of Living Biblically

Since finishing the Bible in a Year challenge, I have been in the mood to read. I just polished off A.J. Jacobs' latest book - The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. Jacobs is officially Jewish, but as he puts it, "Jewish in the same way Olive Garden is an Italian restaurant. Which is to say: not very." The description from the jacket cover is an apt one...

"Jacobs's extraordinary undertaking yields unexpected epiphanies and challenges. A book that will charm readers both secular and religious, The Year of Living Biblically is part CliffsNotes to the Bible, part memoir, and part look into worlds unimaginable. Thou shalt not be able to put it down."

As a pastor, I found the book to be one man's authentic pursuit of Biblical comprehension and application. It was an interesting - and much appreciated - view of the Bible and religion in general through his eyes. He has a keen awareness of his behavioral, emotional, and spiritual perceptions during the experiment. He is also well-aware of his own preconceived notions (this became painfully clear in the section on the New Testament).

I think the most unexpected aspect of this book was how much I laughed audibly while reading it - much to the amusement of my wife! Of course...many of these laughable sections involved his wife's sarcastic and not-so-amused responses to this undertaking. Reactions that Karen and I both agreed she would have if I were to pursue something similar.

My favorite episode was the time his wife sat in all the chairs in their apartment knowing that according to Leviticus 15:19-23 he would not be able sit in any of them. (Click on the link if you want to know the specifics...) In the same chapter, he shared some rabbinical teaching on this passage that I found extremely intriguing. I won't post that teaching here as I need to do some more research before stating my opinion on the teaching.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. I am confident that I am going to read his previous book - The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World. For that book, he read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica from A to Z - or more specifically, from a-ak (East Asian music) to Zywiec (a town in southern Poland known for its beer).