Over the span of my short life (54) I have gone through ups and downs in my exercise progam. Currently I am not at the top or the bottom. I work out by walking and doing some limited weights and crunches. I can tell you this, when I do work out I feel a lot better the next day. Not right afterwards but the next day, unless I over do it, which hasn’t happen in a long time but you get the idea. At this point in my life I have settled into this type of route unless I face a crisis. Then I will be really faithful in my work outs. I wish I could say with total transparency that I work out every day and maintain the greatest health habits but that would be a lie and that’s not good for a follower of Jesus.
Over the last several months I have been working on several things for the church family I lead and serve. Here are a few of them:
Funding for the new Children’s Worship center and lobby area. We have made contact with a company that will be our lead group in securing the financing needed for this project, around 1.5 million. Did I tell we also get to wide the road in front of our church campus as part of getting the permit from the city. What’s a few extra $100K We may be able to start moving dirt by July the earliest or October the latest if everything goes good.
Developing a video venue at our new Des Moines campus. The project requires some remodeling in three phases, as funding allows. We have got together a wonderful team with a campus pastor identified. Our desire is to be operational by this coming Easter. We have never done an off site video venue yet so this is brand new for us. Yes, we have allowed our selves to make mistakes and readjust as situations develop. It’s sort of like being a parent with your first born. You’ve never done this before so not only are you teaching you are learning at the same time.
I’ve been invited by the Purpose Driven ministry from Saddleback church to go to India and teach pastors how to be a Purpose Driven Church. I will be leaving February 1st for 9-10 days for this ministry opportunity. This is a real stretch for me. While I’ve taught all the material to our church family through our classes and have attended numerous conferences at Saddleback, my challenge is how to make it effective for churches in India. My prayer is that God would show me some keys to understand their culture and challenges so that I can be as effective as possible.
On going for me is my desire to be a better team leader for the team I serve with. I find my self always asking my self: Am I creating a safe environment for their success with the proper amount of feed back? We have been going to some get training called Cohorts, a ministry offered through our Northwest Ministry Network. It has forced us to ask ourselves some very tough questions. I continue to thank God for Mel Ming and those who support his leadership in our ministry network. Recently we just completed a book called, “7 Practices of Effective Ministry.” One of the joys of the team I serve with is their openness and robust discussion we have. Every thing gets to be discussed and ideas challenged.
Every January I try to put together the next twelve (12) months of teaching calendar for the weekend services. So far I am on track with that. In my heart I have always sensed God directing me on the various series to teach on. I continue to be amazed at His guidance knowing my weakness and short comings in being the lead pastor of the Church.
Okay by now maybe you have figured out it’s been a while since I’ve written in my blog. It’s sort of like my exercise program. My excuse: I am human, but need to improve because when I do the things I know I should do it does make me feel so much better. Okay I feel better now. See you next time.
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