It's Okay To Be The Boss pt.1

I'm reading a very interesting book (title is above). This week, I want to share with you some interesting things that I am gleaning from this book.

1. There is an under-management problem not a micromanagement problem in most organizations.

Most managers do not take charge on a day-to-day basis:

A. They fail to spell out expectations every step of the way.

B. They fail to track performance constantly.

C. They fail to correct failure.

D. They fail to reward success.

Weekend Update

1. The biggest thing that stuck out to me about yesterday's message was the statement that faithfulness is the great separator. Isn't that so true? Faithfulness separates the successful and those who fail, the responsible from the irresponsible, the mature from the immature, the commitment-driven from the emotion-driven and the spirit-led from the flesh led!

2. We are changing our experience times by 15 minutes. Our new experience times beginning August 3rd are 8:45AM, 10AM, 11:15AM & 12:30PM.

3. We changed the order of service this Sunday, and we are keeping it this way. We are now receiving God's tithe and our offerings after prayer time. From day one of the church, we have always worshipped God in our giving at the end of the experience. This little change really makes a big difference in the flow of the experience. I'm excited about it!

4. I watched the kids Saturday night, and my wife went out to eat with some girlfriends. I know my hardworking wife needs a break and needs to connect with other ladies without the kids.

5. I read lots of books to the kids, played with them on the floor, chased them around the house and played hide-n-seek with them. Love those precious kids!

6. I grilled out brats this weekend, and then, I ate the leftover brats for lunch on Sunday after church. Mighty tasty!

7. My take away from this Sunday's message was that I want to remain faithful to God, my family and my calling! Faithfulness is so key to a spirit-led life!

8. Folks, start the week off right by reading God's Word, praying, worshipping and allowing God to develop the fruit of the spirit in your life. It will make all the difference in your life!

Friday Random Thoughts

1. Still no fourth baby!

2. My wife and I went on a date last night. This is probably our last date for a little while. The fourth baby will be arriving soon.

3. I sure love my kids. They are stinkin' precious. When I tell my little girl to listen or mind, she always says, "Okay datty!" She melts my heart every time.

4. I have an announcement to make this Sunday at church, so you better be there!

5. People have asked how they can help Tiffany and me with our new baby. The biggest blessing is to get us a gift card to a restaurant because I'm not much of a cook and some of my kids are picky eaters. So cooking us a meal is only good for me and Tiffany but not for our kids. Thanks to all of you for your love and care. YOU'RE AWESOME!

6. This Sunday I'm speaking on faithfulness. This message is going to inspire you to greater heights!

7. Hurry up, football season! I'm waiting patiently!

8. Today is my day off, and I'm going to enjoy my family.

Thursday Thoughts

1. Our fourth baby is coming some time this month.

2. I'm excited to see the little guy, but I'm not looking forward to the crying at night.

3. Sunday's message is about 75 percent done. This morning I will get it 95 percent done and send my notes to the office for the bulletin notes and the PowerPoint.

4. Saturday, I put the final 5 percent touches on Sunday's message.

5. I'm meeting a church planter for lunch today. I love hanging with church planters.

6. I'm meeting with another pastor who took over a church plant this afternoon. This guy is from out of state.

7. I have a huge heart to invest in church planters. Starting a church is no joke! It's not for the faint of heart! You better be called!

8. I've lost 6 or 7 pounds since I started eating better and being more consistent at the gym. Nobody can tell I've lost weight. As a matter of fact, some people have laughed at me and asked me, “Why do you need to lose weight?”

9. I read a book last month called Leader And Self Deception. I highly recommend the book. I made my entire leadership team read the book. Now, I'm making them read It's Okay To Be The Boss.

10. I have to continue to give my team growth opportunities. Growing churches means growing leaders! I'm sure growing tons!

Wednesday Mind Download

1. The speaker at the pastor's meeting I attended yesterday afternoon was very good and inspiring.

2. The message that I'm preparing for Sunday on faithfulness is about 50 percent done.

3. One of my hardest jobs as a leader is building an all-star team around me.

4. One of my greatest payoffs is building an all-star team around me.

5. I'm reading a book called It's Ok To Be The Boss. It's a great book on how there is an epidemic of under management. I may blog some things that I have taken away from this book in a week or so.

6. One thing that I have disagreed with in this book is that you can't be friends with those you lead. It definitely is challenging, but I personally believe you can be a boss, pastor, mentor, coach and friend all at the same time.

Tuesday Ramblings

1. I'm studying for Sunday's message this morning.

2. I have a lunch appointment with a bunch of pastors this afternoon.

3. I'm interviewing a potential staff member later today.

4. Some of our staff are going with me to a special meeting this evening.

5. I'm making a special announcement this Sunday to our church.

6. We have a really cool outreach that we are planning for. Details coming this Sunday as well.

7. This Sunday we are making a minor change to the order of service.

8. As you can tell, I think change is good :)!

9. If you don't embrace change, you are in a world of trouble because everything is changing, INCLUDING YOU!

Weekend Update

1. I'm tired.

2. I say that a lot on Monday mornings.

3. I spoke in my friend’s church, Tommy Sparger, on Sunday. The church is called North Point Church and is located in Springfield, MO. It's a great church lead by an exceptional leader.

4. Shelby Johnson, our Care Director, spoke at People's Church on goodness. I know Shelby did a great job.

5. The NBA is coming to OKC this fall, and I'm pumped about it!

6. It's almost Fantasy Football time. Very excited!

7. My wife didn't have our fourth baby this weekend. I'm glad about that.

8. On Sunday, my little daughter started getting out of bed by herself. She has always called for mom or dad to come get her. She's becoming a big girl now.

9. Not only did she get out of bed by herself, she went to her brother’s room and screamed to wake them up. She was successful!

10. She got out of bed by herself this morning again! OH BOY!

11. I missed being at People's Church on Sunday.

12. I'm looking forward to speaking on the subject of faithfulness this coming up Sunday. JUICY FRUIT has been a great series!

13. I have a busy week ahead.

14. Make it a great Monday! It really is your choice.

Things You May Not Know About Me Pt. 6

26. My other hobbies are listening to preachers, reading blogs (mostly ministry and leadership blogs) and looking at church websites. I know, I'm a pretty boring and lame person.

27. Teaching is probably my top gift. Leadership is probably second.

28. My wife and I were married six years before we had our first baby. We planned to have our first three kids and God planned for us to have our fourth one :)!

29. Besides our staff, all of my closest friends are older than me. I have a young man's body with an old man's mind :)!

30. I was very, very scared to get married and even more scared to be a dad. Outside of Christ, those two things have been the greatest blessings in my life! AWESOME!

Things You May Not Know About Me Pt. 5

21. I played college football on a full scholarship at Arkansas Tech University and at Evangel University.

22. My grandma told me I was going to be a preacher when I was a kid, and I thought she was crazy.

23. My freshman year of college at Arkansas Tech, I majored in communications. I wanted to preach part-time and be a full-time sports broadcaster for ESPN! Of course, God had other plans.

24. I'm a Starbucks fanatic! My favorite drink is a decaf coffee with Splenda and steamed half and half on top! LOVE IT! If you want to know how to bless your pastor, STARBUCKS ALWAYS MAKES ME SMILE!

25. If you got to know me, you would think I was a pretty boring person. My hobbies are working out at the gym, going to Starbucks and reading the newspaper or a book, fantasy football and spending time with my family.

Things You May Not Know About Me Pt. 4

16. My favorite movie of all time is Back to the Future.

17. I like to eat leftovers.

18. I don't like to watch a movie or TV show more than once.....except for Back To The Future.

19. I was voted Prom King my senior year in high school.

20. I was voted Homecoming King my senior in college.