I believe that knowing who you are and how you function is one of the wisest things you can do for yourself. If you are managing people it also helps to know their strengths and the things that make them tick. We do a lot of testing at WRC to get to know one another, the people that lead us, and the people we lead.

I was reviewing the Strength Finders for myself this morning. My top five are Relator, Command, Ideation, Strategic, and Achiever. I don’t know whether that’s a good combination or what, but I do know it pretty much describes me. For instance as a Relator, I like deep friendships, it is very hard for me to deal with surface relationships and that makes me appear sometimes to be aloof. That part I need to work on. The Command in me says “you don’t mind forcing your opinion.” good and bad, have to work on presentation. Ideation, sometimes I can run ahead of people and on the other hand can get disappointed if you don’t like my idea. Strategic, “you can see more repercussions than others. Achiever, “you do not require much motivation from others.”

Anyway, that is me. Do you know who you are? Honestly? How others see you? How you see and relate to others? I encourage you to use a lot of tools. Here is some we have used, all can be found on line: Leading from Your Strengths. Strength Finder, Uniquely You. There are others. If you are honest with the test and with yourself most will give you an honest measure. If you try to think too much and choose the one that makes you look good in your own mind, you will screw up the results. “Know thyself,” some smart guy said that years ago. Still applies.

I am a data junkie. I love to read Barna’s stuff because I glean a lot from numbers. (although I’ve always had trouble concentrating on Numbers in the Bible). Barna’s new book is about the Seven Faith Tribes in America today. Casual Christians, Captive Christians, Jews, Mormons, Pantheists, Muslims, and Skeptics. The book is about how America will be shaped in the future by these seven tribes. I haven’t read the book but have read excerpts on his website and definitely will buy it soon.

In this quote Barna describes the difference between Casual Christians and Captive Christians:

“The big difference between these two tribes is how they define a successful life. For Captives, success is obedience to God, as demonstrated by consistently serving Christ and carrying out His commands and principles. For Casuals, success is balancing everything just right so that they are able to maximize their opportunities and joys in life without undermining their perceived relationship with God and others. Stated differently, Casuals are about moderation in all things while Captives are about extreme devotion to their God regardless of the worldly consequences.”

Most people in our churches are Casuals at best, trying to balance life so that God doesn’t “get them” but live so they don’t offend their neighbors with their religious convictions. Another words it’s a life of compromise for the majority of us. I wonder what a church or community would look like when or if we all got serious about living a “Captive” life?

Imagine a church of 4000 like WRC where 100% of the attendees decided to live a “fully devoted life” in all areas of their lives – marriage, children, work, finances, community involvement, giving, serving, recreation, school, etc. What would the community look like? Would there be a difference in juvenile crime, abortion, child/spouse abuse, homelessness, joblessness, hunger, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, etc? See for so long the church defined devotion as not drinking, smoking, or having pre-marital or extra-marital sex. And devotion may mean some of those things.

Devotion means that when God says “GO” we go. We are afraid that may mean Africa or Asia. What if it just meant “GO” next door and make sure your neighbors needs are being met? What if it meant taking in a foster child? What if it meant taking in a pregnant teen? What if it meant mentoring a juvenile delinquent? What if meant encouraging a recovering drug or alcohol abuser? What if it meant sitting with an elderly widow or widower? What if it meant coaching a little league team? What if it meant giving an extra $5.00 to feed someone? I could go on and on.

The question is, “What captivates you?” What difference does it make? I wonder if I’m really captivated sometimes. What difference am I making? Tough questions. Don’t know that I have an answer right now. How are you leading your church to be captivated? Make a difference.  

Praying for Steve Whipple, tragic death in his wife’s family over the weekend.

Long weekend but with very little activity. Wife was sick most of the weekend so we didn’t get out. I got so bored I actually exercised twice in one day and I hate exercise. By the way, down about 12 pounds in the first two weeks of Weight Watchers. Staying accountable.

I believe that God is up to some big stuff in the future of WRC and Church Planting because there have been a lot of attacks in the last few weeks to church planters and their families. WRC has parented or partnered with about 32 churches in the U.S. and abroad. We have twelve guys that will start in the next nine months. We already have guys calling about next years class. In 2007 we set a goal of 25 churches in 25 counties surrounding Atlanta. When this class gets on the field we will have oartnered or planted a church in 19 counties. It will be difficult to motivate guys for some of the rural counties but we’re still praying. In the fall we are partnering with Michael Lukaszewski to start a coaching group for guys that have already started their churches. Got to be past launch to take part. Assuming we hit 50 plants in the next year, and I believe we will, WRC will have averaged 6 churches planted a year since 2002. In those churches, about 15500 average attendance. WRC has touched the lives of almost 20000 people through the WRC campus and church plants. Proud that God has used me to be a part. Proud of the vision of a pastor willing to do what it takes to reach people.

Staff meeting time! Church Planter, Pastor – go get ‘em.

I blogged a couple of weeks ago about starting Weight Watchers. I now don’t eat food I count points the Weight Watchers way. It is much easier than trying to count fats, sugars, carbs, calories, fiber. They even give you a tool to measure all that other stuff and decide your points.

Anyway I was getting ready to make myself a sandwich today for lunch. I was checking the points and lo and behold the brand bread that my wife eats has no points! The healthy, wheat bread, that tastes and feels like cardboard 2 points. So, I begin to ask myself can I eat this whole loaf without any points? I already know the answer and I didn’t. I even added one point for two slices for the sandwich. So I’ll have to figure that one out.

So I take this a step further, what in our leadership has value but no points. I mean you hear the jokes about pastors and about how they never have anything to do. Ever had anyone ask, “How do you spend your time each week?” I recently had that conversation with someone. Showed them the calendar, I can find stuff to do.

Do you get credit for study time if you are teaching? People expect a good sermon and good delivery, on average that takes 10 – 20 hours if it’s done well. I had a lady ask me one time, “Don’t you get your sermons from Nashville and the headquarters of the Baptist. Not really, besides I preach better than them anyway.

Do you get credit for prayer time? “Aren’t pastors supposed to pray. I don’t get paid for that.” You probably don’t spend as much time praying as most pastors hopefully do. I recently met with a consultant and this is what he told me about meeting with a friend of mine that pastors in North Georgia. “The most impressive thing about meeting with Matt is that the prayer carpet in his office is worn through to the bare floor.” You know what Matt is one of the most successful church planters in Georgia or the nation for that matter. Now I know his secret.

Do you get credit for off the cuff consultation? Most people would be amazed at the suddenly “important” conversations pastors have each day. These calls and interuptions come from staff, members, other pastors, people in the community and they all think you’re not really busy so I just thought I’d call or come by. Had a couple recently that left the church looking pretty angry after meeting with one of our pastors. I asked him what was happening. He explained that his couple had complained about not getting anyone to meet with them. He went on to explain that the couple had met with a Stephens Minister and a counselor, and at least 2 of the church volunteers but, “the church was ignoring them.” AARGH!!! (Clue: It’s not about seeing a pastor, the pastor equips the members for the work of the ministry. You have been ministered to if you have seen a Stephen Minister, Life Care Minister, Journey Group leader, or a Hope Counselor, been to Divorce Care, Grief Share, etc, etc, etc.)

Do you get credit for drive time? Getting to and from meetings is a task sometimes. And if the meeting doesn’t end until 5 or 6 then you have added drive time to your day or before your day. So I normally leave for the office around 7:45 a.m. But periodically I have a breakfast meeting which might start at 8:00 a.m. but it may be a 30 – 40 minute drive, which means I have to leave between 7 and 7:15. I’m not complaining. I actually enjoy these meetings, but it adds to my day. And our value here at WRC is a 45 hour work week. So drive time can send me off my hours some weeks.

It’s sometimes the little things that send the schedule out of whack. So Pastor, Church Planter, or Business Manager, Owner, Dad, Mom, what sends your calendar out of whack. What do you do that you don’t get credit for? I still am fascinated by the idea of BREAD that has no points. That’s a diet I can love. It’s the little things that count the most sometimes.

The WRC management team is in Lynchburg for Innovate. Great trip in last night. Took the wrong turn and ended up finding a restaurant in the middle of nowhere out near Appomatox called Spring House. If you are in Lynchburg and have an extra 30 minutes to drive out of town. GREAT country cooking, ayce, family style dining. Hwy 460 (richmond hwy) between Lynchburg and Appomatox.

We eventually found our way to Lynchburg. Ended up seeing the new Star Trek movie. At least no one had on a Star Fleet uniform. That was my very first space movie. Never saw Star Wars or Star Trek. Probably won’t see another one anytime soon.

Connecting with Danny Echols and the Crossview Gang at the hotel right now. Love this guy. He has a cool group that works with him. I am so excited for him and the new building they have purchased. Funny thing. He convinced the staff to fast at the request of Matt Willmington for the conference, but for Danny it’s really just to save money for the building. So these guys didn’t get breakfast this morning. We’re providing dinner tonight, I bet Danny eats tonight.

Good to connect with Matt Willmington this morning. He didn’t eat either.

Looking forward to the conference. Lots of big names here. Brian speaks on Church Planting/Multi-site tomorrow. Let you know tomorrow how it goes. Love being in the mountains though.

Last week I got this email from a girl in our church upset because we didn’t allow dancing at weddings and calling us “baptistic legalist” or something pretty close to that. She was disappointed that she couldn’t get married at her home church because of this policy. I was actually part of the discussion of this policy several years ago so I responded. It’s not just about the dancing, it’s sometimes about the lyrics, there are some songs that I think would dishonor God in a house of worship, call me old fashioned but there is some inappropriate lyrics out there. And then it may be about some of the dancing I’ve seen that may not be the best “witness” in a place of worship. So instead of having to embarrass someone it’s just easier to encourage people to have the reception somewhere else.

This policy cost me personally last fall. My daughter got married and I paid a LOT of money to hold a wedding somewhere other than WRC because of the dancing policy. I even allowed dancing when I was a youth pastor in the dark ages of the 1970’s and 80’s but I controlled the music and the dancing. (square dancing don’t ya know ).

Anyway when you’re writing policy you never know what will happen…this past weekend there was a wedding here at the church. My family was scheduled for a photo shoot in the garden at about the same time. While waiting to have some pictures taken we noticed several groomsmen walking toward the garden. I thought, “oh look, they are coming to have their pictures made.” But NOOOOOO… suddenly they disappeared behind a tree line. The bride and groom come driving around the corner and started blowing the horn. They had been MOONED, 8 full moons. The guys came out from behind the trees and were hitching up their pants when my phone rang.

I answered the phone…”Jim, did you know there was a wedding here today?” the Hispanic Pastor asked. “Well the wedding is over and everything is alright now but several guys just mooned the bride and groom and several of our people happened to see it. The young people laughed and understood but some others were a little upset.” Bottom line…The Hispanic Worship Service got MOONED! Sorry Jeff.

Oh well…someone want to help me write that policy?

Today at staff meeting one of the sharpest young men in the area addressed our staff. Michael Lukaszewski, Lead Pastor of Oakleaf Church in Cartersville, GA spoke on team leadership. Michael interned with WRC about 4 years ago, went out to start Oakleaf and until last weekend was holding (and preaching) at 4 services on Sunday Morning at a local movie theater between the hours of 9 a.m. and Noon. Think about that preaching 4 times in 3 hours. The guy is a machine. He is also an excellent leader. The church in a little over 2.5 years has over 1200 attenders! Oakleaf recently purchased an old bar in town and remodeled it. Oakleaf Church now meets in the House of Rock, what was once a den of iniquity is now just a den. If you run across this blog and live in Cartersville, GA or surrounding check out Oakleaf.

Michael talked about effective teams and I can’t write the entire talk down but this hit me:

·         Low level effectiveness of your team can cause you to do really stupid things

·         High level effectiveness of your team can cause you to do really superior things.

Surround yourself with Highly Effective People, you’ll be amazed at what God will do.

My second meeting of the day was with Anthony Murray. A young African American pastor at Oasis Church in Dallas, GA. I wish I could claim Oasis as one of WRC’s church plants but he was just a sharp guy that started on his own. Athony started with 12 people 3 years ago and now has 1200 in attendance. His church is by itself reaching 1% of the African American population of our county! On top of that he bought the most unlikely of buildings (something as a consultant I would have warned against) and has made it work. The building was an old steel fabricating business near a railroad, out of the way. All the mistakes the experts tell you not to do, but he’s done it and made it work.

Our conversation led us to talk about the Kingdom. Anthony told me he has been a little leery of white pastors because some have mistreated him in the past. So he has been slow to come around but we are going to partner. I have asked him to address the topic of leadership at our next church planting class in June.

If you happen to read this and you run a big church planting conference and you received some criticism for not having an African American speaker and you said it was because you didn’t have an example of a church planter, let me recommend Anthony. You will not be disappointed. And he has even bigger dreams. He believes God is going to bring 10,000 people to his church. that would be almost 100% of the African Americans in the county. (btw Oasis does have people of other races)

Love young leaders. I have the privilege of knowing a few. The future church is in good hands with men like Michael and Anthony to lead it. (and he even paid for lunch)

I am an idiot! I guess I should have done more research. I know Weight Watchers works because I followed the program on my own last summer and lost some weight. I decided this year I might do even better with some accountability.

Here’s the deal. No one told me that WW meetings were a bunch of women sitting around clapping and celebrating losing a pound or two, or in some cases 5 or 10. “Yea, Susie lost 5 pounds this week!” Clapping, cheering, gleeful laughter. I am glad they lost weight. That is what I am there to do. I thought I was there for an education, not so much. At least in the first 30 – 45 minutes. After the other girls left the leader did a five minute program on how the program works for the newbies like me (about 3 other women). They even did a Mother’s Day give away, “of course you’re not a mother but you have one.” teehee!

I don’t know whether there are other men out there that have thought about WW or attend meetings but they aren’t there when I was there. The program does work and hopefully I’ll stick with it long enough for it to become a lifestyle. So much for accountability. I’m not ready to be one of the girls. I paid my money so I guess I’ll do the on-line program. I’ll weigh in but doubt I’ll be attending many meetings. So will you celebrate with me as I try to lose weight. You can even challenge me and when I have to buy clothes I’ll describe every detail…teehee!

My worst fear is becoming obsolete. Although I’m well into my 50’s, I feel like I think like a much younger person. Hanging around with church planters helps. I read a lot about church planting. I attend church planting conferences. I try to continue to be on the cutting edge of what is happening in church planting. I would hate to think that information I’m giving out is not useful stuff.

It got back to me that someone said about our program, “they’re in the sticks and their training was irrelevant to where I am.” Well that stung a little. But I realize I have tutored, mentored, coached, and trained some guys in some pretty diverse places. Some have been pretty successful. I have taught church planting now for several years. I have taught cell church planting, how to launch, how to gather core groups, how to parachute into a community, etc. There is no right way or wrong way to do church. I have ways that I prefer. But I know a little bit about how most systems work and if I don’t I can help find the answer.

So, am I obsolete? I don’t know. I’ve got a few more years of ministry left. My wife and I have talked about finding a little church where I could preach and there would not be a lot of pressure. I enjoy preaching. I enjoy pastoring people. But I could not go where there were not some expectations of growth. I want to reach lost people wherever I am. Most churches are content with the members they have. She says I would go crazy just maintaining ministry somewhere. 

I look at a guy like Lyle Schaller. He is way older than I will probably ever be but I tell you if you are a church planter, pastor, or staff member and you get to sit with Dr. Schaller for a few minutes you better take it. That will be the best part of your day, week, month, and maybe the year. So some old guys still have it, just hope I haven’t lost it.

Just finished 2 days of intense meetings about vision, staff, direction, and ultimately budget. Tough decisions but in these economic times they have to be made. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Pray that what we do we do with gentleness and kindness and that it will ultimately honor God.

Second tough situation…Bob Moses and I visited with the family of Ryan King yesterday. Ryan was a 22 year old from Dallas, GA that was killed in combat in Afghanistan May 1. He had attended WRC when we was in high school before he joined the Army and moved away. The family was obviously shaken. Angry. Confused. All that you would expect from a family that had lost a healthy young man. Ryan graduated from East Paulding High School. He was an athlete. Popular. Joined the Army right out of high school. He died protecting our freedom. My freedom.

People sometimes try to make comparisons of Vietnam (my era) and the Middle East. To me there is no comparison. I know I will hurt some of your sensibilities. I protested Vietnam. I did not protest our soldiers, I had many friends that fought and a few that died, I would not dishonor them. I protested the government that consistently and intentionally lied to us and killed 500,000 young people of my generation to protect a French Govt that has consistently turned their backs on the U.S. everytime we bail them out. Vietnam, nor any of their armies ever attacked the U.S. before our involvement in the war. The countries of the Middle East have consistently subverted and conspired to attack the U.S. in dozens of places around the world. I am afraid I have an Old Testament view of war. I believe that if someone attacks you you react as God commanded Israel. Israel was commanded not to leave a man, woman, or child standing. When they did, this came back to bite them. If you attack me I will do all in my power to protect myself and destroy you. I will not pick a fight but I would intend to end it. And here’s a secret I don’t believe in a fair fight. Whatever it takes I will do.

I do not view this as a holy war. I do not believe the vast majority of Muslims have it in for the U.S. But…if I were running the world if your nation, tribe, or community attacked the U.S. I would run over you like a bulldozer on steroids and there would be not one building, one person, one thing left standing. You hit New York, let’s see if you can find a place in the desert to live as we destroy Baghdad, Tehran, or whatever city you want to name. It is hard to attack me from the grave. Sherman as he was running over Atlanta said, “War is hell.” If I were President this would be my motto, “War is Hell. Attack the U.S. and you will experience it.”  Sorry about the rant.

Remember this is my opinion not the opinion of WRC or any of its ministries. I am passionate about this subject

War is not fair. Last weeks paper was crying about the number of civilians killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sorry, but don’t harbor international terrorist and these people probablywould not have died. If that’s mean so be it. But I do not believe that any more of our brave and honorable young men and women should die because some nut doesn’t like us. I do not like making ministry visits of this kind. It is uncomfortable for everyone. But in my opinion we could have ended this several years ago by leveling Baghdad and challenging them as to what we destroy next. We should have burned that city to the ground the way Sherman burned Atlanta. Let’s end this thing in victory and not run home with our tails between our legs as we did 40 years ago.

To the King family. We thank you for your sacrifice and for raising a young man that served his country with honor and bravery and gave his life for our freedom. May God give you comfort in your time of need.