The growth & development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” Harvey Firestone, Founder of Firestone
A strong ego is a asset in campaigning but a liability after being elected. To LEAD you must leave your ego at the door.
Rick Warren-The faster one achieves success or fame, the more narcissistic they'll tend to be. Slow &steady builds character over yrs.
Obviously, you need an ego to run for President--but to lead, one must leave ego & know it's not about you!" -Pres. Bush
Never underestimate the power of your words to change people, change circumstances, change history.
When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it will never lack God’s supply. Hudson Taylor
A working definition of real leadership I carry with me--Humble expression of courage that compels people to action.
The challenge when leaders get 'bigger than the game'. http://bit.ly/hjowM5
perrynoble -Until the church is willing to embrace the "uncomfortable" they will fail to see the supernatural!!!
Ron Edmondson -Sometimes I want to take off the nice guy/grace-loving/pastor hat & slap somebody... #JustBeingHonest . thought i would end with a funny one.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
shopping tips
Going shopping black Friday? 1 Peter 1:13 says 'think clearly and exercise self-control.' Some people don't understand that God expects us to do this for ourselves. Typical family has over $8000 in debt on credit cards. Consider paying off a debt as a gift to each other.
marks shopping tips#1-It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbors newspaper, that's the best time to do it. just sayin
shopping tip #2 -How to have a better shopping day: "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." James 1:19 (NLT) or at least don't get behind the lady with coupons.
shopping tip #3- remember when swapping gifts with the cheap side of the family. Most stress is caused by three things; family, money and family with no money.
shopping tip #4- remember the shoppers verse - I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Lk 16:9
shopping tip #5- why buy the thanksgiving sales paper, when you can borrow one from the waffle house. Coffee and the paper for under a buck. Now thats thinkin. Don't tell no one but my mom does this every day.
shopping tip #6- tell paw paw to really splurge on maw maw this year. heck remind him it may be his last christmas. He want even have to worry about paying for it. charge it.look how happy this couple looks. "Don't tell the grandkids but they get to pay for the meds and the cruise to alaska to see where Sarah Palin lives."
Shopping tip#7 - eat the free breakfast at SAMs club. Black friday 5 am Don't have a members card? just tell them "my spouse walked in earlier while I was parking the car "
Shopping tip #8- wait till 6pm Friday after auburn beats bama. All the bama gear will be drastically reduced. Just heard they will do a special issue " the best 3 loss football team in history" Daniel Moore painting , tshirt , cartag
Whatever you recognize you become THANKFUL for and whatever you are THANKFUL for will increase! Happy Thanksgiving! Selfish people are rarely truly thankful. Truly thankful people are rarely selfish.U will be enriched in every way.. so be generous on every occasion & thur us your generosity will result in thanksgiving ...to God. 2Cor 9:11.Genuine gratitude is a sure sign of spiritual maturity.
marks shopping tips#1-It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbors newspaper, that's the best time to do it. just sayin
shopping tip #2 -How to have a better shopping day: "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." James 1:19 (NLT) or at least don't get behind the lady with coupons.
shopping tip #3- remember when swapping gifts with the cheap side of the family. Most stress is caused by three things; family, money and family with no money.
shopping tip #4- remember the shoppers verse - I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Lk 16:9
shopping tip #5- why buy the thanksgiving sales paper, when you can borrow one from the waffle house. Coffee and the paper for under a buck. Now thats thinkin. Don't tell no one but my mom does this every day.
shopping tip #6- tell paw paw to really splurge on maw maw this year. heck remind him it may be his last christmas. He want even have to worry about paying for it. charge it.look how happy this couple looks. "Don't tell the grandkids but they get to pay for the meds and the cruise to alaska to see where Sarah Palin lives."
Shopping tip#7 - eat the free breakfast at SAMs club. Black friday 5 am Don't have a members card? just tell them "my spouse walked in earlier while I was parking the car "
Shopping tip #8- wait till 6pm Friday after auburn beats bama. All the bama gear will be drastically reduced. Just heard they will do a special issue " the best 3 loss football team in history" Daniel Moore painting , tshirt , cartag
Whatever you recognize you become THANKFUL for and whatever you are THANKFUL for will increase! Happy Thanksgiving! Selfish people are rarely truly thankful. Truly thankful people are rarely selfish.U will be enriched in every way.. so be generous on every occasion & thur us your generosity will result in thanksgiving ...to God. 2Cor 9:11.Genuine gratitude is a sure sign of spiritual maturity.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
What is the 1 thing I desire for people to know about Restoration Church?
For the last few weeks, I've been pondering a simple question. What is the 1 thing i desire for people, who visit our church, to leave knowing? We all wish they would leave their first visit knowing who we are, what we believe and why we love Jesus. But like most children, we only process one over feeling about a place we are exposed to. When we pick up our kids from church or school for the first time we ask them the same questions. ( did you have fun, what did your learn)
I believe it is the same with first time guest to our churches, they leave with one feeling and a decision already made about our churches, ( before the service is over, usually within the first 7 minutes) did they enjoy it and will they come back. The first question we must ask ourselves is "what is unique about our individual church"?
While we have the same commandments and vision the The church, I know each church has a unique God given vision, gifting and motivations. Being a 3 yr. old small church we know that Restoration isn't the only church in town. duh! We also don't believe we are the best church in town for every person. We are really good at a few things but don't pretend to have the "best of everything" nor should we be expected to. Thus we believe and support all churches in our area and The Kingdom. We celebrate each unique differences and common purposes.
We are blessed to have been entrusted by God with each individual or family that walks thru our doors and consider each person a gift. It may surprise some to hear, but usually after talking with someone about their past church attendance and preferred music or worship styles, I usually know if restoration church is going to be a good fit for them. For a large percentage of people "looking for a church home" we are a good fit and they stay and often I recommend them to try several other churches that better fit their past history and preference. So back to the question.
All Christian churches hope every visitor leaves our service (after their first visit) knowing we love Jesus, we love people , we love our community. Funny thing is even the " snake handling" churches can live by the motto: we love Jesus and we can prove it. For the rest of us "non-snake" churches we hope we have some unique differences that separate us from other churches.lol.
But what is the one unique thing we want them to know about our church, people, staff or pastor? I have little desire for people to leave our service thinking we have the best facility, best transportation, best programs, best music or funniest preacher or most eloquent communicator. Probably not gonna be true in more than one of those areas. My desire is that everyone who comes in contact with Restoration church will believe that we are real. While we want be able to share how our bi vocational staff sacrifices or how they are among the biggest financial givers per income. Many will never realize what they do without in order for us to be financial sound and save money. In an age when mega churches and their leaders have little financial self control or integrity. Restoration church has been able to save several months income toward our operation and opportunity fund. While many churches (even some with famous pastors) are struggling we have been blessed with financial increase. This is just one but measurable ways we can prove to the world and ourselves that we do ministry out of pure hearts and motivation. Authenticity is a major factor for the success we have experienced.
I believe it is the same with first time guest to our churches, they leave with one feeling and a decision already made about our churches, ( before the service is over, usually within the first 7 minutes) did they enjoy it and will they come back. The first question we must ask ourselves is "what is unique about our individual church"?
While we have the same commandments and vision the The church, I know each church has a unique God given vision, gifting and motivations. Being a 3 yr. old small church we know that Restoration isn't the only church in town. duh! We also don't believe we are the best church in town for every person. We are really good at a few things but don't pretend to have the "best of everything" nor should we be expected to. Thus we believe and support all churches in our area and The Kingdom. We celebrate each unique differences and common purposes.
We are blessed to have been entrusted by God with each individual or family that walks thru our doors and consider each person a gift. It may surprise some to hear, but usually after talking with someone about their past church attendance and preferred music or worship styles, I usually know if restoration church is going to be a good fit for them. For a large percentage of people "looking for a church home" we are a good fit and they stay and often I recommend them to try several other churches that better fit their past history and preference. So back to the question.
All Christian churches hope every visitor leaves our service (after their first visit) knowing we love Jesus, we love people , we love our community. Funny thing is even the " snake handling" churches can live by the motto: we love Jesus and we can prove it. For the rest of us "non-snake" churches we hope we have some unique differences that separate us from other churches.lol.
But what is the one unique thing we want them to know about our church, people, staff or pastor? I have little desire for people to leave our service thinking we have the best facility, best transportation, best programs, best music or funniest preacher or most eloquent communicator. Probably not gonna be true in more than one of those areas. My desire is that everyone who comes in contact with Restoration church will believe that we are real. While we want be able to share how our bi vocational staff sacrifices or how they are among the biggest financial givers per income. Many will never realize what they do without in order for us to be financial sound and save money. In an age when mega churches and their leaders have little financial self control or integrity. Restoration church has been able to save several months income toward our operation and opportunity fund. While many churches (even some with famous pastors) are struggling we have been blessed with financial increase. This is just one but measurable ways we can prove to the world and ourselves that we do ministry out of pure hearts and motivation. Authenticity is a major factor for the success we have experienced.
Monday, November 15, 2010
what churches can learn from Shoneys
My favorite place to eat growing up was Shoneys. Favorite dish- the "breakfast bar". We must have ate their 3 nights a week. My family learned to follow the model other church going families set by "not supporting establishments that served alcohol." I can still remember the first time I met Nicole ( we must have been around 12) after a "sangin" at Shoneys. Unfortunately we lost our Shoneys at least 15 years ago.
The only place were Shoneys still thrives may be Gatlinburg, TN. area. Pigeon Forge has 4 within about 10 miles. Why you ask? Because Gatlinburg is where all the" buffet eatin white folks" go for theirr winter vacations. Right? This past week Nicole ate at Shoneys in Montgomery and Columbus 2 consecutive nights. Here is what i noticed and what the church can learn from it.
1. Learn to update and reinvent yourself
Shoneys had a great product lineup and friendly service 20 years ago. Now your likely to get a less than par product from a menu that hasn't changed and a server no longer fits the "family friendly" image. Cracker Barrel has a better and more consistent product and brand recognition. Most Shoneys haven't remodeled their buildings in the last 20 years. Even McDonald's are starting to get more stylish.
Many churches were cutting edge 20 years ago but fell in love with their style and refuse to change or update. Other churches have come along with a better and more relevant style.
One of the reasons churches see decline is they love their model more than the unchurched and unsaved- @AndyStanley
2. Learn the Mall life cycle
Most malls have a life cycle of 20 years until the city moves and updates in a different area. Every major town has the "old mall" that struggles , becomes unsafe and eventually closes down and then gets tore down.
While relocating is expensive, we shouldn't plan to be on the same church campus for 100 plus years. Even Atlanta first Baptist finally moved out of downtown to the growing part of town. Neighborhood churches that were built during the 60-70 are now struggling to survive while the area around the church declines in value and attraction.
The only place were Shoneys still thrives may be Gatlinburg, TN. area. Pigeon Forge has 4 within about 10 miles. Why you ask? Because Gatlinburg is where all the" buffet eatin white folks" go for theirr winter vacations. Right? This past week Nicole ate at Shoneys in Montgomery and Columbus 2 consecutive nights. Here is what i noticed and what the church can learn from it.
1. Learn to update and reinvent yourself
Shoneys had a great product lineup and friendly service 20 years ago. Now your likely to get a less than par product from a menu that hasn't changed and a server no longer fits the "family friendly" image. Cracker Barrel has a better and more consistent product and brand recognition. Most Shoneys haven't remodeled their buildings in the last 20 years. Even McDonald's are starting to get more stylish.
Many churches were cutting edge 20 years ago but fell in love with their style and refuse to change or update. Other churches have come along with a better and more relevant style.
One of the reasons churches see decline is they love their model more than the unchurched and unsaved- @AndyStanley
2. Learn the Mall life cycle
Most malls have a life cycle of 20 years until the city moves and updates in a different area. Every major town has the "old mall" that struggles , becomes unsafe and eventually closes down and then gets tore down.
While relocating is expensive, we shouldn't plan to be on the same church campus for 100 plus years. Even Atlanta first Baptist finally moved out of downtown to the growing part of town. Neighborhood churches that were built during the 60-70 are now struggling to survive while the area around the church declines in value and attraction.
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