Wildfoote: A Leadership Journey

Give Me A Real Person

I mentioned that we are going through a time of evaluation.  Our staff has been asked to contact at least three churches that have reached a growth level ahead of us.  They are to seek input and advice from their counterparts at those churches…what should we be doing, concerned about, preparing for the growth ahead.

Churches are in the people business.  But in trying to be efficient and/or manage costs, many churches have put in place an automated answering system.  Our experience has been interesting.  A number of our staff were cut off while trying to work through the system.  Finding the right person to connect with was difficult.  Getting a live person was challenging.

Does it need to be said again? Most people would like to talk to a real person.  This is true whether calling a church, a local business, or a help line.  I love technology, efficiency, saving money but person-to-person makes a difference.  Let’s find somewhere else to save money and be efficient.

Real Estate, Break In, and Sabbatical

Long time no post.  Lots happening.

On the Real Estate front, I have been playing a major role on RCC's facility transition.  We have been working on identifying properties and getting ready for a big move.  Actually hired architects this week and got moving on designing our next space.  Most likely we are going to move into an existing building and turn it into "our space".  We have some cool ideas, so will post more as we get further into the project.

This past Monday night, our next door neighbor had a guy with a gun come into his house and demanded money.  Ended up forcing one of the occupants to drive him to an ATM and made the neighbor take out money.  Kind of scary.  About the same time, I had our front door open and the screen door unlocked.  That has changed. 

Pastor Jim is on sabbatical through July and then on vacation the first week of August.  I spoke at the three services this morning, finishing up our series on the life of Samuel.  Wow, I forget what it takes to give the same message three times, back to back over a 4 hour period.  Believe it or not it takes a lot of emotional energy out of you.  It didn't help that one of the air conditioners went out, making for a warm meeting space.  But overall, I enjoy communicating in that forum. 

So that's a quick update!  Hopefully more to come.

Brian McLaren

About 10 days ago, I took a couple guys up to Northern Baptist Seminary in Lombard to hear Brian McLaren.  Brian was the featured speaker for the annual William W. Brady Lectures.  As always, Brian was both challenging and inspiring.

I got to know Brian while I was serving at International Teams and have memories of challenging discussions in cafe's in Seattle and the DC/Baltimore area, at a conference center in Costa Rica, and in our own board room in Elgin at the IT USA office.  His questions and thoughts have been postive markers in my own journey with God. 

The lectures were a good experience for all three of us and our brief conversation with Brian before the lectures started was encouraging.  I took away from the day his challenge to be engaged in contextual theology, a narrative hermeneutic, a missional vocation, and a deep global conversational ecclesiology.  I am looking forward to his next book which focuses on the contemporary global crises and how we apply the gospel to them.  Should be an interesting read.

I snapped this quick photo of Brian on my cellphone following the lectures.  Thanks for a great day Brian!

Home In P-Town

The parties are finished, the good byes are over.  Yes, it is official...we are home in Peoria. 

We wondered at times if we were going to make it. Liz did an incredible job of packing and preparing while I was traveling right before we moved.   I think we were both delirious before it was all over.  But we made it...thanks to lots of help and encouragement from old friends, new friends, family, Allied Moving company, and mostly the grace and strength of God.  Thanks to the Hilberts and Liz's parents for the ton of food on Saturday.  The movers were excited about the "buffet" they were able to experience. Thanks to Scott and Holly, Jessica, Heidi, Tom and Dottie, and Joel and Emily for unpacking, setting things up and help us make those decisions as to what goes where.

Now to get down to business...Getting the kids in school, finish setting up the house, and putting energy and intentionality behind my role at Richwoods Christian Church.

Guess What We Are Doing...

This is just a small snapshot of what is happening at our house at the moment...boxes, boxes, everywhere.  We are putting on a full court press to get packed and ready to move.

I returned home from Peoria tonight to help get packed.  The movers are scheduled to load the truck on March 15, we close on both houses on the 16th, and the movers deliver our stuff on the 17th.

The kicker is that several months ago, I agreed to help facilitate a retreat for the Regional and Ministry Leaders of International Teams in South Carolina, March 11-16.  Hmmm...see a problem here?  Liz and I have worked it out, and I will return early before the retreat is over but before the truck shows up.  I will plan to blog some of the retreat while I am there next week.  Apparently we are supposed to have wireless internet.

One thing I can say, our life is definitely not boring!!!

Creating an Experience

Okay...for those of you that know me well, I can see your eyes rolling now.  But I just have to say that I am really being impacted by the book, The Starbucks Experience.  Anybody who is trying to impact a customer and create a positive experience should read the book.

And at the risk of being misunderstood or labeled too corporate, I think there is much church leaders and small group leaders could learn from what Starbucks is doing.

The section on their mantra of "Connect", "Discover", and "Respond" in my estimation, is worth the price of the book.  I highly recommend giving this book a read!!

Catching My Breath

Whew!  It's Monday and I am catching my breath. 

Since I started at Richwoods CC on January 15, it seems that I have been on the go.  After spending a few days in Peoria that first week, I was home for 36 or so hours and then off to speak at a leadership retreat just north of Peoria.  Was in town until Wednesday but as I mentioned in an earlier post, Pastor Jim asked me to speak on Sunday (Jan 28).  My couple of days at home were spent preparing the message, helping Liz get the house ready for a showing, taking Zach to the Fun Fair at his school, and generally catching up with the kids.  Then back on Saturday to speak yesterday.

I had lots of encouraging comments about the message yesterday (all three of them...three services).  Also had some good conversations as well.  If you are interested in listening to the message, you can click here and go to sermon media.  It should be up sometime this week.

Okay...now back to figuring out what's up for this week.  I think I need a cup of coffee!

Stepping Up

Pastor Jim's son is dealing with some serious medical issues at the moment, requiring them to spend some time at Children's Hospital in Chicago this week.  It has been an emotionally taxing time for them.  So, I am stepping up to speak at the services this weekend.

We are in the middle of a neat series on the relational aspects of what is commonly known as the Lord's Prayer.  We have looked at God is Father and God is God.  I will be looking at God is Lord, focusing on "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven".   This is a good topic for me speak on as I have had to wrestle at times with trusting his will through our transition.  Should have lots of personal illustrations.

Leadership Retreat

I have hit the ground running here at Richwoods Christian.  This past weekend, I led four sessions at their small group leaders retreat.  Interestingly enough, they booked me a year ago to speak at this retreat...long before I knew that I would be looking for a new position.  But of course, God had it all in hand.

The retreat went well.  It was held at ShallowBrook Farm Retreat Center, in Bradford, Illinois.  The place is top notch and incredibly conducive for this kind of a retreat.  I spoke on servant and shepherd aspects of leadership.  Rich Rardin from Servant/Shepherd ministries has influenced me a lot in this area.  The response was good and it gave me a great opportunity to connect with some of the small group leaders in the church. 

The weekend also provided the opportunity to partner up with Marty Hunt, the discipleship pastor from Richwoods CC.  Marty was a part of the Oasis college ministry that I led in the '90s and a stellar disciple from that time period.  We worked great together and stayed up late sharing and challenging each other.

Here is a picture of me speaking.  Notice the Bears shirt (a few hours before they devastateded the Saints.)