Relationship Conference

We had a great kick-off to our two-day relationship conference last night. Lori Weber helped us all understand our personality by grouping us by our color types--I'm orange and green. That means I love to have fun, but like to be in charge. My wife is gold-green. That means she loves rules. What's interesting is that orange people aren't real fond of rules. Seems opposites do attract.

I heard someone say a long time ago that opposites attract, then they attack! That's why it's important to continually be renewing our love for each other.

Connections Resource Center

Starting this Sunday, we're upgrading our book and CD ministry to more of a resource center for new believers and new members. We're going to make available the Christian Life Assembly essentials:

• Living in the Tree of Life Message Series on CD
• Speak It Out book free to all second time guests
• The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey to help with the financial side
• Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels to help with the leadership side
• Kid CEO by Ed Young to help on the family side
• The Message Bible for devotions
• The NIV Study Bible for following along with the message on Sunday

Of course, existing members will be able to pick up CD orders, purchase any of the above, and purchase new materials when we focus on particular topics--like Purpose Driven Life. If you haven't picked up any of the above resources, let me encourage you to do so this Sunday! They're great. And, at Connections, you get them below retail!

The Most Important Question

I finished recording an e2 interview with Gary Brothers. If you are a pastor in Iowa you should get it in the next couple of weeks. In the interview he said something that really stuck with me. As leaders, we spend a lot of time answering the what, when, where, and how questions. His assertion was that the people are wanting to know the answer to the why question. Why are we going to two services? Why are we moving the organ? Why are we supposed to invite people?

He's been able to create a create culture of change and momentum at Cape First Assembly because he's answered the why questions. According to him, most people will follow the leader when they know why.

The Book-Jesus and You

I received an invitation to write a chapter in a book titled Jesus and You. The proceeds from the book will support Convoy of Hope, a great compassion ministry of the Assemblies of God. They ministered to over 6,000,000 people last year through Convoy of Hope distributions and emergency response projects around the world. I'm excited because the other authors are people I have admired for a long time--Glen Cole, former pastor of Capital Christian Center in Sacramento, California, George Wood, general secretary for the Assemblies of God, and Huldah Buntain, a legendary missionary to India!

I'll let you know more when I find out more.

The Art of Self-Leadership

In the Edge yesterday, we talked about the art of self-leadership. We asked ourselves 10 questions to make sure we're fulfilling the most difficult leadership task--leading ourselves!

1. Is my calling sure?
2. Is my vision clear?
3. Is my passion hot?
4. Am I developing my gifts?
5. Is my character submitted to Jesus?
6. Is my pride subdued?
7. Am I overcoming fear?
8. Are interior issues hindering my leadership?
9. Is my pace sustainable?
10. Is my love for God and people increasing?

You can read more about self-leadership in Bill Hybels' book Courageous Leadership.

Accussed of Drunkenness in Eloy, Arizona

Eloy, Arizona is the skydiving capital of America--at least according to the signs. After the Pastor's School in Phoenix, Pastor Jonathan, Erica, Amberly, and I stopped to check out indoor skydiving in a wind tunnel.

We were still on a great spiritual high from the conference and were laughing, joking, and cutting up with each other and the girl behind the counter. Jonathan asked if there was an opening that day. The girl responded, "No. Come back a week from now and don't stop at the bar on the way."

She accussed Jonathan of being drunk! Obviously, they don't see many genuinely happy people in Eloy, Arizona! After he breathed his watermelon-gum tainted breath on her, she agreed that he was not drunk. Still, we were offended enough not to skydive. At least, it was a good excuse. I wasn't too crazy about getting sucked up into a wind tunnel in the middle of the desert, anyway.

Fill in the Blank

Here's a great fill in the blank test to help a person identify his dream.

If I had __________________________________________________.

I would___________________________________________________.

The idea is that if you had anything you wanted--unlimited time, unlimited money, unlimited information, unlimited staff (all the resources you could ask for), what would you do? Your answer to that question is your dream.

The Big Idea from Phoenix

As I reflect back on my trip to Tommy Barnett's Pastor's and Leader's School in Phoenix last week, I come away with one big idea. Here it is: I love being a pastor! Where else can you make such a difference in the lives of people or the life of a city than in the local church. I am convinced more than ever that the local church is the hope of the world.

Our mission is incomparable: to transform people into life giving followers of Christ. I am glad God has allowed me to pastor this great and growing church. Together, we can make a difference in our city.

I hope many of you will come with me next year to Phoenix!

The Automatic Answer

Is your home, church, or business a permission giving organization? Here's the question to help you discover the answer. When someone comes up with a new idea, program, or vision what two words start your answer?

• No, Because...
• Yes, If...

The first answer automatically tells why the new idea won't work and dismisses it out of hand. The second answer gives permission...if certain criteria can be met. A permission giving organization always answers "Yes, if..." This allows creativity to begin to flow in the organization.

So, which one is your church, home, or business?

Living the Prayer Adventure

We're in our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting at Christian Life Assembly. One of our goals is to turn our lives in a prayer adventure. To do that, we're taking advantage of seven different prayer experiments. Why not try one?

1. Begin Your Day in Prayer
2. Pray the Newspaper
3. Pray for Someone or Something Specific
4. Pray for Every Person You Pass
5. Pray the Bible
6. Turn your Thoughts and Emotions into Prayers
7. Finish Your Day in Prayer

Leave a post and let me know how your prayer experiment is going!

Pastor's School Was Great!

It's almost 11 PM in Phoenix and I can barely keep my eyes open. I am as tired as I can be, but Pastor's School was GREAT!

• The worship was extraordinary.
• The vision was amazing.
• Climbing Prayer Mountain was incredible.

I've got video to show at church this Sunday. Don't miss it.

February is a Going to be Cool

I mean that not just because of the weather. Here's some exciting things happening in February:

• Leading a group of 18 pastors/spouses on a trip to the Pastor's School at Phoenix First Assembly, February 6-9.
• Stepping out to The Edge: Christian Life Assembly School of Leaders, starting February 12.
• Launching our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, February 3.
• The Seven Project, February 15.
• Holding our first-ever Secrets to Lasting Relationships Conference, February 24-25

I believe this will be a month of Kingdom expansion. What do you think?

Thursday Book Review: The Jerusalem Diet

I just finished reading Ted Haggard's new book The Jerusalem Diet. Don't let the title throw you--it's a lifestyle approach to food that the author developed in Jerusalem. There is nothing fadish about it--just a great plan for how to get your weight under control and keep it there.

I love it because I love everything Ted Haggard writes, but I love it more because I identify with his description of himself:

--A busy pastor
--Who loves food
--Who lacks self-discipline!

That made sense to me! So far, so good.