I am a big planner. I believe the Lord can speak to us months out and not just at the spur of the moment. God tends to speak to me through prayer, planning and preparation. Here is a list of things that have been nailed down for 2010, or that will be nailed down by the end of the year.
1. Our 2010 sermon series are 90 percent nailed down. This really gives our Creative and Media Teams time to produce high quality work.
2. My time off from speaking has been nailed down.
3. Our advertising strategy. The times throughout the year that we want to do heavy marketing.
4. The speakers who will be speaking at PC when I'm not are 90 percent nailed down.
5. The events to help people grow spiritually and develop Kingdom friendships through our Community Groups.
6. We are working on nailing down our baptismal dates.
7. We are working on what events we want our kids and youth ministry involved in during the summer.
8. We have nailed down our Next class dates.
9. We are working on nailing down our Starting Point dates.
10. Our Volunteer Celebration Banquet has been nailed down. Volunteers, this will happen on January 29. It's going to be blast! Thank you for volunteering faithfully every week.
This list is not exhaustive, but gives you an idea of what we are working on at PC! I enjoy planning ahead!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
CALENDAR PLANNING
It's not a lot of fun, but today we're doing calendar planning at church for 2010 as we try and get the important things on the calendar first. Important things like outreach events, all church events, Kingdom Builders, church picnic, additional services, Christmas Eve services, global trips, camps, conventions, leadership training etc. All of that has to be balanced with the school calendar, and other cultural events that dominate life in the United States! (See why I said it's not exactly a lot of fun!)
The hardest thing to do is keep the calendar from loading up and overwhelming the staff and the congregation and making the Kingdom of God the priority it needs to be. We have to keep reminding ourselves that our DNA is to have weekend services, small groups and global projects and not get distracted from that vision. It's a real challenge and there are a lot of things that won't make the cut, but its all part of the strategy for the future.
Thanks www.robketterling.com for this post. Rob pastors a great church in Minneapolis. Our team is currently planning our calendar, so this post struck a chord with me.
The hardest thing to do is keep the calendar from loading up and overwhelming the staff and the congregation and making the Kingdom of God the priority it needs to be. We have to keep reminding ourselves that our DNA is to have weekend services, small groups and global projects and not get distracted from that vision. It's a real challenge and there are a lot of things that won't make the cut, but its all part of the strategy for the future.
Thanks www.robketterling.com for this post. Rob pastors a great church in Minneapolis. Our team is currently planning our calendar, so this post struck a chord with me.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Weekend Update
1. Wow, wow, wow, what a great Sunday at PC!
2. We baptized tons of people! I love seeing people go public for Jesus!
3. Many people gave their lives to Christ! We are seeing people come to Christ in record numbers. It's so exciting!
4. Our people are pumped up about Green Peace! I know many people are going to experience financial peace like never before because of this series. It's going to be a very practical series that will help everybody gain peace during these difficult times.
5. We were once again over 1000 people bigger than the same Sunday last year. Actually, we were 1034 people bigger. I am blown away and humbled by what God is doing at PC!
6. Lives are being changed every week at PC! That pumps me up!
7. I flew to Philadelphia on Thursday morning. Due to the rain, my flight was delayed out of OKC. I missed my connection in Cincinnati. I had to sit around the airport for a few hours because I missed my flight! Bummer!
8. I got to hang out with one of my pastor friends on Thursday evening. David Crosby is a great pastor on the east coast. He pastors www.poconocc.com. This is a great church with a great leader. I didn't get to sleep until after 12:30AM.
9. On Friday morning, I spoke at a college about church planting. It's always a great honor to invest in students.
10. I caught a late afternoon flight home on Friday. Once again, my flight left late. Long story, but the airline made me check my bag, and my bag didn't make it to OKC with me. I had to report my bag missing to the airline. I didn't get home until around 10PM.
11. Early Saturday afternoon, my bag was delivered to my home. I was very glad because I had my hair clippers and edgers in the bag.
12. Late Saturday afternoon, my wife and I went to dinner with some of our friends, and then we went to the Oklahoma Sooners game with them.
13. My wife and I got home late from the OU game.
14. The Sooners offense looked great, but the defense didn't look so good.
15. I'm tired from a long weekend, but I'm also very excited about what God is doing in my life, family and PC!
16. My Dallas Cowboys are looking good! Miles Austin is the real deal. I'm glad I added him in my dynasty FF league.
17. My fantasy football teams did average. I think I will go 4-2 this week, which isn't bad, but I was hoping for better.
18. Cale lost his first two teeth this weekend. He looks funny, but thinks he is cool. I love my kids so much!
19. Financially, if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. Break your patterns and habits, and do something different starting today.
20. I can't wait for this Sunday at PC! GREEN PEACE BABY!
2. We baptized tons of people! I love seeing people go public for Jesus!
3. Many people gave their lives to Christ! We are seeing people come to Christ in record numbers. It's so exciting!
4. Our people are pumped up about Green Peace! I know many people are going to experience financial peace like never before because of this series. It's going to be a very practical series that will help everybody gain peace during these difficult times.
5. We were once again over 1000 people bigger than the same Sunday last year. Actually, we were 1034 people bigger. I am blown away and humbled by what God is doing at PC!
6. Lives are being changed every week at PC! That pumps me up!
7. I flew to Philadelphia on Thursday morning. Due to the rain, my flight was delayed out of OKC. I missed my connection in Cincinnati. I had to sit around the airport for a few hours because I missed my flight! Bummer!
8. I got to hang out with one of my pastor friends on Thursday evening. David Crosby is a great pastor on the east coast. He pastors www.poconocc.com. This is a great church with a great leader. I didn't get to sleep until after 12:30AM.
9. On Friday morning, I spoke at a college about church planting. It's always a great honor to invest in students.
10. I caught a late afternoon flight home on Friday. Once again, my flight left late. Long story, but the airline made me check my bag, and my bag didn't make it to OKC with me. I had to report my bag missing to the airline. I didn't get home until around 10PM.
11. Early Saturday afternoon, my bag was delivered to my home. I was very glad because I had my hair clippers and edgers in the bag.
12. Late Saturday afternoon, my wife and I went to dinner with some of our friends, and then we went to the Oklahoma Sooners game with them.
13. My wife and I got home late from the OU game.
14. The Sooners offense looked great, but the defense didn't look so good.
15. I'm tired from a long weekend, but I'm also very excited about what God is doing in my life, family and PC!
16. My Dallas Cowboys are looking good! Miles Austin is the real deal. I'm glad I added him in my dynasty FF league.
17. My fantasy football teams did average. I think I will go 4-2 this week, which isn't bad, but I was hoping for better.
18. Cale lost his first two teeth this weekend. He looks funny, but thinks he is cool. I love my kids so much!
19. Financially, if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. Break your patterns and habits, and do something different starting today.
20. I can't wait for this Sunday at PC! GREEN PEACE BABY!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Green Peace
We are kicking off a new series this coming up Sunday called Green Peace: Peace For Your Finances. I’m so excited for God to help people experience financial peace during these difficult times! Check out this short promo video that our Media Team put together.
Green Peace from People's Church on Vimeo.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Pastor Appreciation Month
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Today, I want to appreciate the pastors (directors) who serve on the People's Church staff. I want each of you to know that I greatly appreciate you. Your love for God and passion for the local church is unbelievable. Thank you so much for your hard work, faithfulness, friendship, loyalty and love. You all are so gifted, and I'm so grateful to serve alongside of you. I want you to know that you are appreciated! I love each of you and pray God's continued blessings upon your life and your family!
Senior pastors, be sure to let the pastors who serve with you know how much you appreciate them. A kind word of thanks or a small gift of appreciation is fuel for the soul!
Senior pastors, be sure to let the pastors who serve with you know how much you appreciate them. A kind word of thanks or a small gift of appreciation is fuel for the soul!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Finding the Main Thing
Do you ever feel like you are putting in long hours, but seeing very little positive results? If your answer is yes, I can relate. Let me share with you something called the 80/20 principle.
80 percent of traffic jams occur on 20 percent of the roads.
80 percent of beer is consumed by 20 percent of drinkers.
80 percent of classroom participation comes from 20 percent of students.
80 percent of the time you wear 20 percent of your clothes.
80 percent of the profits come from only 20 percent of the customers.
80 percent of problems are generated by 20 percent of the employees.
80 percent of sales are generated by 20 percent of the salespeople.
80 percent of all decisions can be made on 20 percent of the information.
What this means is that the best 20 percent of your activities are sixteen times more productive than the remaining 80 percent. If you want to decrease the complexity of your life and increase your productivity, you need to focus on your top 20 percent. There is a good chance that you are (1) doing too many things, and (2) the things you are doing are often the wrong things. And this, my friend, is a recipe for an ineffective life! Find the main thing and invest your time there and watch your effectiveness increase. It is not enough to work hard! You have to work smart.
Thank you, www.tommysparger.com, for posting this on your blog last week.
80 percent of traffic jams occur on 20 percent of the roads.
80 percent of beer is consumed by 20 percent of drinkers.
80 percent of classroom participation comes from 20 percent of students.
80 percent of the time you wear 20 percent of your clothes.
80 percent of the profits come from only 20 percent of the customers.
80 percent of problems are generated by 20 percent of the employees.
80 percent of sales are generated by 20 percent of the salespeople.
80 percent of all decisions can be made on 20 percent of the information.
What this means is that the best 20 percent of your activities are sixteen times more productive than the remaining 80 percent. If you want to decrease the complexity of your life and increase your productivity, you need to focus on your top 20 percent. There is a good chance that you are (1) doing too many things, and (2) the things you are doing are often the wrong things. And this, my friend, is a recipe for an ineffective life! Find the main thing and invest your time there and watch your effectiveness increase. It is not enough to work hard! You have to work smart.
Thank you, www.tommysparger.com, for posting this on your blog last week.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Weekend Highlights
1. There was a great move of God at People's Church!
2. I taught a message on miracles.
3. We switched up the order of service, and I taught after two songs of worship.
4. After I taught, we did two more worship songs, and our Prayer Team and staff prayed for the needs of people. It was a powerful time.
5. We sang the song Healer yesterday. That is a great song.
6. As I prayed with our people and heard their requests, I was reminded of how much people are going through. I had requests for cancer, job loss, drug addiction, alcohol addiction and much more. I was moved, broken and stirred as I prayed for the requests of our people.
7. I know God did many miracles!
8. Thank you, church family, for praying and fasting for our miracle experiences.
9. In our first experience, everything technically that could go wrong went wrong. Those moments are very frustrating for this pastor. AUGHHHHHHHHHH!
10. Things went much smoother in the second and third experiences.
11. I had a great time with my family this weekend. We went on a family date on Friday. My wife and I rented a Red Box movie and had a great time hanging out.
12. On Saturday, I had a nice, relaxing day.
13. My OU Sooners beat Kansas! Yea!
14. My Dallas Cowboys won again. Miles Austin might be the real deal!
15. The most important thing in my fantasy football leagues is I got a win in the league that I was 1-5. So now, I'm 2-5 and on my way to making the playoffs. There is no quit in the Coopster. I'm fighting till the very end, and I'm going to make the playoffs.
16. I'm very excited about our new series kicking off this Sunday called Green Peace: Peace For Your Finances!
17. I'm excited for our baptismal experience coming up Sunday. Get baptized in water if you haven't. God will bless you for it.
18. Be sure to turn your clock back one hour on Saturday night. The other option is you can get to church an hour early and pray!
19. Have a super Monday!
2. I taught a message on miracles.
3. We switched up the order of service, and I taught after two songs of worship.
4. After I taught, we did two more worship songs, and our Prayer Team and staff prayed for the needs of people. It was a powerful time.
5. We sang the song Healer yesterday. That is a great song.
6. As I prayed with our people and heard their requests, I was reminded of how much people are going through. I had requests for cancer, job loss, drug addiction, alcohol addiction and much more. I was moved, broken and stirred as I prayed for the requests of our people.
7. I know God did many miracles!
8. Thank you, church family, for praying and fasting for our miracle experiences.
9. In our first experience, everything technically that could go wrong went wrong. Those moments are very frustrating for this pastor. AUGHHHHHHHHHH!
10. Things went much smoother in the second and third experiences.
11. I had a great time with my family this weekend. We went on a family date on Friday. My wife and I rented a Red Box movie and had a great time hanging out.
12. On Saturday, I had a nice, relaxing day.
13. My OU Sooners beat Kansas! Yea!
14. My Dallas Cowboys won again. Miles Austin might be the real deal!
15. The most important thing in my fantasy football leagues is I got a win in the league that I was 1-5. So now, I'm 2-5 and on my way to making the playoffs. There is no quit in the Coopster. I'm fighting till the very end, and I'm going to make the playoffs.
16. I'm very excited about our new series kicking off this Sunday called Green Peace: Peace For Your Finances!
17. I'm excited for our baptismal experience coming up Sunday. Get baptized in water if you haven't. God will bless you for it.
18. Be sure to turn your clock back one hour on Saturday night. The other option is you can get to church an hour early and pray!
19. Have a super Monday!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday's Download
1. Be sure to get to church on time this Sunday (really every Sunday, because worship is always great). We are switching up the experience order, and I will be teaching towards the beginning of the experience.
2. After I teach a message on miracles, we will have more worship, and we will be praying for God to do miracles in people’s lives. It's going to be a Sunday of miracles!
3. Invite everybody you know that needs a miracle. God does the impossible!
4. Don't forget to pray and fast this week for God to move in a powerful way on Sunday.
5. We had around 350 people in Epic this week! God is doing something awesome in our youth ministry! Teenagers, stay hungry for God and keep inviting your friends to experience the life-changing power of Christ!
6. This Sunday we are launching a second junior high experience. Our junior high experiences on Sunday are now at 10:30AM and 12PM.
7. We are kicking off a new series on November 1st called Green Peace: Peace For Your Finances. I will be teaching you very practical things to help bring peace to your finances during these difficult times. This is going to be a great series. Your friends and family will find these practical tools very helpful.
8. Our Christmas series is going to be unbelievable! In the seven year history of the church, we have never done anything like this. During the month of December, we are going to have an orchestra perform, a special Christmas choir comprised of our church people, a Nutcracker performance, snow falling in the auditorium, a light show with cool music, possibly a children's choir and much, much more. This will be a Christmas season to remember at People's Church! It all begins Thanksgiving Sunday!
9. I am still undefeated in one fantasy league.
10. I am excited about what God is doing at People's Church!
11. I took my wife on a date last night. I always enjoy alone time with my bride.
12. It's going to be a great Thursday and weekend! See you on Sunday!
2. After I teach a message on miracles, we will have more worship, and we will be praying for God to do miracles in people’s lives. It's going to be a Sunday of miracles!
3. Invite everybody you know that needs a miracle. God does the impossible!
4. Don't forget to pray and fast this week for God to move in a powerful way on Sunday.
5. We had around 350 people in Epic this week! God is doing something awesome in our youth ministry! Teenagers, stay hungry for God and keep inviting your friends to experience the life-changing power of Christ!
6. This Sunday we are launching a second junior high experience. Our junior high experiences on Sunday are now at 10:30AM and 12PM.
7. We are kicking off a new series on November 1st called Green Peace: Peace For Your Finances. I will be teaching you very practical things to help bring peace to your finances during these difficult times. This is going to be a great series. Your friends and family will find these practical tools very helpful.
8. Our Christmas series is going to be unbelievable! In the seven year history of the church, we have never done anything like this. During the month of December, we are going to have an orchestra perform, a special Christmas choir comprised of our church people, a Nutcracker performance, snow falling in the auditorium, a light show with cool music, possibly a children's choir and much, much more. This will be a Christmas season to remember at People's Church! It all begins Thanksgiving Sunday!
9. I am still undefeated in one fantasy league.
10. I am excited about what God is doing at People's Church!
11. I took my wife on a date last night. I always enjoy alone time with my bride.
12. It's going to be a great Thursday and weekend! See you on Sunday!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Church Growth Lessons
I am humbled by the way the Lord is blessing People's Church. We are growing at a staggering rate. This is the fastest rate our church has ever grown. Lives are being changed. Here are some lessons I'm learning during this season.
1. There is a price that is paid before growth occurs.
2. Many people don't see the price that was paid; they just see the growth that follows.
3. Growth exposes all of the weaknesses of your church and your leadership.
4. There are some people who can get you to one level but can't take you to the next level.
5. Managers are plentiful, and leaders are few.
6. God is the one who makes the church grow. One plants, one waters, but God brings the increase.
7. The planting and watering season is a lot of work.
8. Even when we are experiencing phenomenal growth, I'm still not satisfied, but I've learned to enjoy the journey.
9. Taking time off is critical. I can't teach every Sunday and lead at a high level. Most of our church will never know the leadership energy I spend on our church because they only see me on Sundays when I'm in my teaching mode.
10. There are tough decisions that have to be made to sustain what God is doing. These decisions can be painful.
11. I can't do ministry alone. I need my team more than ever before. I'm very blessed with some gifted and godly leaders that believe in the vision of PC as much as I do.
12. The larger we get, the more specialized the hires. We used to hire generalists (they needed to be good at a few things), but now we hire specialists (they need to be great at one thing).
13. I am learning like never before. I have people speaking into my life constantly. I can't learn enough.
1. There is a price that is paid before growth occurs.
2. Many people don't see the price that was paid; they just see the growth that follows.
3. Growth exposes all of the weaknesses of your church and your leadership.
4. There are some people who can get you to one level but can't take you to the next level.
5. Managers are plentiful, and leaders are few.
6. God is the one who makes the church grow. One plants, one waters, but God brings the increase.
7. The planting and watering season is a lot of work.
8. Even when we are experiencing phenomenal growth, I'm still not satisfied, but I've learned to enjoy the journey.
9. Taking time off is critical. I can't teach every Sunday and lead at a high level. Most of our church will never know the leadership energy I spend on our church because they only see me on Sundays when I'm in my teaching mode.
10. There are tough decisions that have to be made to sustain what God is doing. These decisions can be painful.
11. I can't do ministry alone. I need my team more than ever before. I'm very blessed with some gifted and godly leaders that believe in the vision of PC as much as I do.
12. The larger we get, the more specialized the hires. We used to hire generalists (they needed to be good at a few things), but now we hire specialists (they need to be great at one thing).
13. I am learning like never before. I have people speaking into my life constantly. I can't learn enough.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
How To Get A Promotion
1. Get your work done in a timely fashion without your boss having to look over your shoulder.
2. Don't make your boss have to tell you to do something twice.
3. Don't make your supervisor have to follow up with you to make sure your assignments are getting done.
4. Don't just do what's expected of you; go the extra mile. Do more than is expected of you.
5. Be the person your supervisor can count on and depend on to produce high quality results.
6. Occasionally ask your boss how you can be a better asset to them and the company.
7. Work with a great attitude.
8. Get along with your boss and the other employees.
9. Lighten your supervisor’s load instead of increasing their load. Don't add extra stress to your supervisor by being an under-performer.
10. Make the company money with your great ideas and production.
11. Make yourself irreplaceable by making yourself replaceable. Train others to do your job well.
12. Make the goal more important than the role. Be willing to do whatever it takes to make the company a success.
13. Be a person of integrity. Be honest, humble, trustworthy and a team player.
2. Don't make your boss have to tell you to do something twice.
3. Don't make your supervisor have to follow up with you to make sure your assignments are getting done.
4. Don't just do what's expected of you; go the extra mile. Do more than is expected of you.
5. Be the person your supervisor can count on and depend on to produce high quality results.
6. Occasionally ask your boss how you can be a better asset to them and the company.
7. Work with a great attitude.
8. Get along with your boss and the other employees.
9. Lighten your supervisor’s load instead of increasing their load. Don't add extra stress to your supervisor by being an under-performer.
10. Make the company money with your great ideas and production.
11. Make yourself irreplaceable by making yourself replaceable. Train others to do your job well.
12. Make the goal more important than the role. Be willing to do whatever it takes to make the company a success.
13. Be a person of integrity. Be honest, humble, trustworthy and a team player.
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