Some of you may have thought I gave up after the election. Not the case. Just out of town and very busy. Kevin D. and I attended a conference on Multi-site churches. I don’t know that I learned a great deal more than I already knew. I did learn that we have some issues at WRC that we need to get back to if we want to close the back door.

Then from the conference I went with our interns to Liberty U. for Church Planting Emphasis week. I had the privilege of speaking to three classes on Church Planting. I actually was the guest lecturer for one of the classes. Pretty intimidating speaking to a class of a guy who has written 60 books. But he affirmed my lecture so I guess that’s cool. I always enjoy the teaching in an academic setting like that. At one time I thought I might be a professor. I am one of those guys just short of a Doctorate. I’m officially ABD (all but dissertation). Which means I finished the coursework, took the tests and pased but never got the book written. Oh well. I enjoy being the guest.

Great CP class Saturday. Great comments from the guys attending. Good job talking about assimilation, volunteers, worship and technology. Kudos to Judy, Kevin, Steve, and Stephen.

And finally, on the election. Congratulations to Obama, and the African American -community. I know you will find that ruling is very different from getting elected. I pray for you and the other leadership of Washington. May God continue to Bless America.

Family reunion this past weekend. I have a cousin (actually a cousin in law) that has compiled our family lineage back to the Revolutionary War. My grandmother on my mother’s side has quite a lineage. There is either a grandfather or uncle, depending on who you ask, that rescued the colonial flag from the British and returned it to Savannah. There is a statue and square in Savannah named for him. This past weekend he has completed even more of the family tree and we discovered that my grandmother’s grandfather was Benjamin Harrison. The first President elected by the electoral college that did not win the popular vote. Obviously a one term guy but still President.

Then there’s the side of the family for which I am named. Beer distributors, (rich but questionable), my father a drug addict and alcoholic, abusers, dubious characters…

Well when do you change your name? Brian is preaching on Identity right now. If you go back in my history there are not many people who did not think I would be dead or in prison by now. I was definitely following in my father’s footsteps. And then…somebody introduced me to Jesus. I am no longer who I was…not yet who I think God intends me to be…but on the journey. My identity is no longer the crazy drunk kid, the hell-raiser, troublemaker but a child of the King. Amazingly God sees me whole, complete, forgiven, white as snow. That’s what the Bible says.

Now do I still struggle with wondering if I measure up. Certainly, but when Satan attacks me with accusations I try to remember to answer him with the Scripture…God has forgiven me and remembers my sin no more and has removed it as far as the east is from the west.

Not a President, not a hero, but a Child of the King, adopted as a part of the Royal Family. That’s my identity today. What’s yours?  

If you are one of those that like to make comments you now have to register. I have just spent too much time dealing with spam, sorry if that is a problem for you. I hope this is a small fix.

While I am talking change. I am about to anger about 90% of the people I know both Anglo and African-American. But I am entitled to my opinion. You don’t have to like it. I also want to reiterate that these are my opinions and not endorsed by any group, church, or network. I also want to say I would not endorse anyone for president right now, I almost didn’t vote at all as I said in an earlier post.

That said…I understand the passion with which the Black community is voting. If the people of my race had been pretty much shut out of the political system for their entire history I can understand the passion for seeing one of my people elected. We as Anglos can make all the arguments about affirmative action and preferential treatment, but we have to admit that for the greatest part of American history we were the ones receiving affirmative action. And politically many African Americans have been shut out of the electoral process unless they were in majority black districts. It is what it is.

That said…I feel strongly that this is the wrong Black candidate. He has no apparent history of leading anything of substance. He has a poor attendance and voting record in both the Illinois senate and the U.S. senate. I wish the African American community would convince a candidate with a record of leadership to run: John Lewis of Atlanta, J.C. Watts of Oklahoma, Barbara Jordan of Texas, Doug Wilder of Virginia, these are people that whether you agree with them or not, have a record of achievement.

That said…I believe the election is in God’s hands. Paul says that in his letter to the church at Rome. Republican or Democrat, God is in control. A friend sent an email yesterday I don’t know whether it was original with her or she found it somewhere else but…The Bible still has all the answers; Prayer still works; Holy Spirit still moves among His people; God still hears our praises; There is still God anointed preaching; We can still sing praises; God still blesses; There is still room at the Cross; Jesus still loves you; Jesus still saves! Be encouraged. (thanks suzanne for the reminder).

It has been bone cold the last two days in Dallas, GA. I know those folks that had a foot of snow yesterday in NY or the snow in North Carolina are probably laughing at me right now but I might even have to put on some socks if it doesn’t get a little warmer. 

Cold is relative I guess. The coldest I’ve ever been was at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake. I stood outside giving out water (probably coffee would have been more effective) for about 5 hours one night and the temperature got down to 4 degrees. I had on more underwear than a manican in Sears. I thought I was going to freeze in my boots.

But I know people that walk around in this weather in shorts. Churches are kinda like that some times. What I think is hot may be someone else’s dead zone. What I think is cold may be someone’s lifeline. We cannot make a judgement from outside. So often we do (at least I do) when we say a church is dead or dying. We don’t know there may be someone that the church is reaching that no one else is going to reach.

So, be careful before you make a decision about someone else’s spiritual temperature.

I have been accused of being a sports fanatic in the past. As I reached the age that I knew I was too old to even try my interest waned a little. I grew up watching the Yankees play baseball. They were in the World Series so often when I was a boy I thought the World Series was the Yankees and whoever else won the other league.

Today after our staff meeting Bobby Richardson, Second Baseman, MVP of the 1960 World Series came walking into the staff meeting. He seemed the most humble man and obviously is in love with God. He was here to speak to the FCA leaders and coaches in the area. I grew up watching this guy. I think because of my age and interest in baseball I was the only person in the room besides Brian and Paul who even knew his name. I even knew he coached at South Carolina and Liberty.

He has several children and two sons that are pastors. He passed on the legacy of his faith to his children who all apparently love God. He talked about leading other ball players to a relationship with Jesus. I am not much of a hero worshipper but I must say I was very impressed.

I think about what legacy I will leave when I am in retirement and when I pass on what will others say about me. I hope they can say I passed on a legacy to my children and that I led others to know Jesus. Even though most of us will never make it to the “bigs” we still have an influence for Jesus. Thanks Bobby for a lifetime of witness to the most important things in life your faith and your family.

I voted this morning. I am actually going to be away from the area on Tuesday so I needed to vote early. I was tempted not to even bother this year. From a poli-sci major in college that is a pretty serious disappointment. I thought probably the guy I would vote for is going to win in GA anyway but then the polls got tighter in GA so I bit the bullet and did my social and civic duty.

The race for the senate is really getting nasty in GA. Both of the guys are dirt bags because of the way they have run their elections. Lies, innuendos, name calling. One guy is running an ad saying the other guy wanted to put a 23% tax on everything (the fair tax, not a bad idea by the way) but failed to mention passage of the fair tax does away with all other taxes. Then the fair tax guy says the other guy is not fit because he got fired for the death of a kid in his care. Not exactly true. He was head of DFACS in Georgia when a couple of kids died in their parents care after being investigated and DFACS did nothing about it. But the guy was an administrator in the capital probably unaware the kid was not being cared for. So which liar do you vote for? I like the fair tax so I voted for the liar that accused the guy of killing the kid.

I know the scriptures say that no man rules without God’s appointment. Sometimes God appoints judges and sometimes He appoints even bad leaders as a way of bringing His people back to Him. I think I know which that is and I think that guy is going to win. God protect us and be gracious to the USA for the next several years. We need it no matter who is elected.  

WRC landscape team is doing some STUFF this weekend to improve the look of the campus. Lot of donated stuff to be planted and lots of labor donated. A boy scout project or two. Amazing amount of work.

One of the problems we have had the last few years is people driving out of the parking lot onto the road across the grass. We have installed some very large rocks now as part of the beautification. If you are one of those used to pulling through the grass you better look next time because you will find yourself face to face with a very large stone.

This is called an obstacle. We have purposely placed it there. Sometimes obstacles come by surprise and are meant for your harm. Sometimes God allows obstacles to slow us down (large rocks ) so that we watch where we are going. Now you can bull your way past some obstacles and you will come out battered and bruised (see large rock ) or you can learn to manipulate a safe way around them. How you do that is up to you. I propose you plan a safe route around large obstacles.

We’ve been mulling over marketing around here for the last few weeks. I for one think we have the best worship in the entire west Atlanta area. The band absolutely rocks. I visit a lot of churches and I’ve not found anything that compares. The teaching is sound and biblical and presented in a very understandable and applicable manner. The worship center could use a little light in my view, but I can’t have everything. The host and servant team is top notch. The children and student programs are all super. There is a reason that we have reached 4000 weekly attendance in what is largely a rural area that is excellence.

But…if we want to grow larger, which means reach more people in my view anyway, we have to begin to think in terms of something besides our strong word of mouth, members inviting neighbors focus that we have had in the past. I think we have to consider advertising. There are some that think the church should not market itself. I’m not sure why. I would not open a business without a marketing plan. Why should we open a church without a marketing plan? After all we have the greatest product and products in the world: Jesus, salvation, forgiveness of sin, life everlasting, love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self control. Who doesn’t want and need these things in their lives?

If people need them then why not let them know where they can find it. I know the following statement will bring a lot of critics, but I’m a big boy and can handle criticism. So here goes. I don’t think the church should do any public ministry without letting others know they are doing the ministry. For instance when a church gives out water on a hot day, the churches name and logo should be on the bottle, when a church is doing a project a banner proclaiming who is doing the work should be available. Why. First the group you are helping is probably not your target anyway if you are working out of your ministry area. But there may be those that pass and say look what that church is doing, that’s the kind of church I would like to attend in my neighborhood. What’s wrong with that? Or in the case of the water we visited a city this summer that was having a heat problem, as we were giving out water on the street so was the city. One was giving it in Jesus’ name one in the name of the government. Should Jesus’ church not get the credit, otherwise we are just social workers. Not a bad profession, just not necessarily out to build God’s Kingdom.

I believe we should market. Do it well. Get your story out and make sure you point to Jesus.

Sometimes our messages get really garbled. We often think we have communicated effectively when someone says we said something entirely different from your meaning. There’s the old comic bit, “I know you think you understood what I said, but what I said was not what you understood.” or something like that.

One of the lessons in leadership is clarification. You need to make sure people understand not only your words but your meaning. One of my personality flaws is that I say something and move on, too bad if you misunderstand or didn’t get it. You gotta keep up. Sometimes I have been known to hurt people’s feelings because of this trait.  So sometimes a simple question or statement, “What did you hear me say? or Repeat back to me what I said.” may be appropriate.

Understanding how to communicate with others and the way they receive communication is important. I recommend a great tool you can find on-line called leading from your strengths. This test is especially effective and cost effective for staff. Most often this has been helpful to me to know someone’s value to the team and weakness as a team member. The most important thing though is the section that helps you understand how to communicate with the person effectively. Me, I am very direct. Others like to process. Others need visuals. Others need facts. Others want to hear stories. Know how to communicate with people it will improve your leadership.

If you are having communication problems with a staff member make sure you write down when you have a conversation. Especially if the conversation is negative. Although it is good to recognize a positive conversation also. Capture the comments early so you remember fully. Let the other person know what you remember, you may give them a chance to return comments. But you do not do this to have a “I said, you said” argument. Note their comments, if you agree, agree but if you don’t let them know this is not your understanding of what happened but their complaints have been noted.

The other thing I need sometimes is a time out. If things get really heated before you say something that will hurt someone or have long term consequences you may want to take a time out and think over what you want to say. You may even want to have an outline and stick to the script just to make sure you don’t say something you’ll regret later.

What you say is important. Make sure in public or private conversation that your meaning is received and what you want to accomplish has been accomplished.

Just got back last night from a trip to Charleston, SC. Beautiful city and area. River Church is going to do well. We had great meetings with denominational types and great meetings with the school guys, and a great time hanging out with potential team members. God is opening some doors for Todd and his crew. Excited about their future in bringing down some walls in C’ton.

Visited a church in the area. Not my cup of tea but reaching a lot of people in the area. Great presentation. Friendly. Great guest services. Music I would describe as WRC Light. Some of the complainers about noise at WRC would be comfortable there. End of service - candle lighting (like in the Catholic church) I was in the balcony and almost smothered from rising smoke - hanging sins on the cross - self serve communion. I don’t know about these things on a weekly basis. I actually don’t mind any of them but feel that when offered weekly they become routine. I feel they lose some of their deep emotional attachment when practiced weekly.

I wish WRC did communion more often but I hope we never go to a weekly serve yourself communion. Jesus served the disciples and then they served each other as the bread was passed down the length of the table. I think it adds something when communion is served by elders and leaders.

I’ve also participated in services where we offered our sin up on the cross. Very moving. Very humbling. But weekly it becomes less meaningful. The pastor even said some of you are hanging the same sins up every week.

The candles…My  friend Kevin told me that was not a particular great practice from his background. I’m not sure what meaning is brought out. Again I’m not opposed as long as it has some biblical, spiritual foundation. I’m not crazy about thinking it might have some pagan practice attached to it. But if if’s biblical and you get meaning from it all right. Just make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. I want even walk in a candle store because I get all stuffy around those things.

On the negative side…we drove my wife’s car and had to jump it off several times when it wouldn’t start. Thanks Steve for having cables. Turns out we had some in the back of our car and had to use them a couple of more times. Battery died, I’m just glad it wasn’t the alternator or starter.

Great Trip! Anyone else taking a church planting trip and wants me along for the ride, I’m open.