What am I doing in Birmingham, Alabama?

I’m writing this blog post in a Starbucks on Montclair Road in Birmingham, Alabama.  I flew in earlier today to meet with a man that could help Mosaic get to the next level in God’s plan for His church.  Tomorrow I’ll spend the day with Chris Hodges, pastor of Church of the Highlands because I’m taking part in a pastors mentoring group called Grow Leader.  You can read more about Grow Leader by clicking here.  Essentially, Chris is offering a mentoring relationship to pastors of churches who wish for their churches to grow.  He has a lot of experience as the pastor of a growing church.  His church has grown from 34 people to 12,000 in a little over 10 years so he knows a lot about growing a multi-site church.  Spending time with him will be invaluable. 

So why am I writing this?  Well, I received a call about two weeks ago that this opportunity was being presented to me.  Flights to Birmingham aren’t cheap on a few days’ notice but thankfully I had enough United Miles to get the ticket for only $ 5.00.   The reason I came here is simple: I have a dream.  Lately a friend and I have begun going through John Maxwell’s book: “Put your dream to the test.”  This has caused me to sit down and really ask myself what I want to see happen in my life, and particularly at Mosaic.  I know what I want to see and when I found out that someone in Birmingham, Alabama might be able to help us get there, I jumped at the chance that they could.

My dream is simple: to duplicate what we have done with God’s help at Mosaic through planting 12 Mosaic campuses all around northern Colorado.  Even as I type this, it sounds crazy and big and ridiculous.  That’s exactly why I believe it’s God’s dream for Mosaic.  Because without Him doing something BIG, it’ll never happen.  Why more campuses?  Because we are seeing lives changed by Jesus at Mosaic and we want to see that happen over and over in communities all over northern Colorado.  I love this region and this is what I dream about.

What’s your dream?  What are you willing to do to see it come to pass?  Are you doing it or are you just daydreaming?  So often we blame our inability to achieve our dreams on circumstances, people or situations around us.  Enough of that.  Decide today that you will take one step toward making your dream a REALITY. 

Do it today.

Even if it involves climbing on a tiny plane and flying to Birmingham, Alabama.  Anyway, if that’s the case, stop by Starbucks on Montclair, you’ll find me here waiting for tomorrow.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

Making Vision Stick

I just finished reading Making Vision Stick by Andy Stanley. It’s a small book, 50 some pages. I read it in one sitting in Starbucks. It’s like Andy knew where I was and what I needed to hear. This Sunday I’m speaking on the big V word. Vision. We’re celebrating our 1 year anniversary as a church and things are exciting. What Andy’s book did for me was help me organize my thoughts into a framwork for articulating vision.

This is a good book.

I highly recommend it. If you’re trying to develop your vision or mission statement or whatever, this won’t help you. If you’re trying to figure out how to articulate your vision to your organization, buy this book.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

Facilities, Facilities, Facilities!!!

O.K. here’s the deal. We started in my living room with 8 people in August 2007. We then had our first church service on Sept. 16th, 2007. We met in an old hotel ballroom that was stuffy, had a dance floor in the middle, christmas lights hanging from the ceiling, had mirrors all around the room and smelled like cheap beer. We were there one week when we were offered the opportunity to share space with a Nazarene church across town.

In hindsight, it was a partnership that was doomed from the start. Senior citizens and a bass guitar turned up to 11 don’t mix well.

We have 2 services. One at 9:30 am is entirely in Spanish, the 11am service is in English. The worship in both services is loud but the Spanish worship ROCKS THE HOUSE (literally.) The music is loud, the bass is LOUD and that’s how the people like it. The Sunday school classes in the church we were meeting in didn’t like it. So they asked us to find another place. We met in 2 different areas of their building and how we’re out. So now, it’s our 5th official week as a “church” and we’re homeless. (Actually they gave us one month to find someplace else.)

This is where God stepped in.

An emergent pastor across town called us that exact same day. He didn’t know us and we didn’t know him but he had heard we might be looking for a place to meet. His church meets on Tuesday and Friday nights and we meet on Sundays.

Perfect!

We moved to our current location about 2 weeks later. God is awesome. That was almost a year ago. We have continued to grow, although summer was rough and our spanish service is busting out the seams. So now, we’re looking for another location. This will be our 5th location and we’re not a year old yet. I knew this would be tough but dang!

Anyway, tonight we looked at a new location. It’s priced too high and the location is industrial but it’s right on the highway and has great space. We’ll see what happens. Maybe we will rent or buy it or maybe we’ll find something else. Either way, it’s a great opportunity for God to do something.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

What is Your Profession?

In the movie 300 Leonidas and his 300 Spartans meet up with the Greek “reinforcements.” In this scene the Greek army is nervous because of the low Spartan numbers. Leonidas responds to their concerns by asking a few of the Greeks their professions. One is a sculptor, another a potter and another a blacksmith. Leonidas then turns to his 300 and yells: “Spartans, what is your profession?” The answer can’t really be typed but they respond with a synchronized war cry that is about as cool as any movie scene I’ve ever seen.

As I watched this I thought about myself. What is my profession? Am I a Starbucks supervisor? Am I a professional speaker? How about a preacher? No, it goes beyond that, deeper than that but not just for me, for all that answer the call. When Jesus says to you “Come follow me” he asks for total commitment. Total commitment even when the mission sounds crazy, even when it hurts, even when those around you don’t seem to understand what you’re doing.

How about you? What is your “profession?” Are you a butcher, a baker, candlestick maker or is it something more? Is there something deeper? Are you a committed follower of Christ, in it to the end?

Church planting is tough. Today I spoke with a fellow church planter that shut his church down and another that is considering doing the same. This was just TODAY! Pastors, we are in a war but the stakes are much higher than a piece of ground. Stand firm, fight faithfully. I’m proud to stand among you.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

Summer - For a Church Planter

I used to love summer….

I love cooking out, I love hanging out with my friends in my backyard, I love taking the kids swimming and man I love the 4th of July!

But being a church planter has changed some of that love to loathing…

Summer is rough on a young church. We started Sept. 16, 2007 and we had some serious momentum going. People were visiting, numbers were growing and we were outgrowing our building. Our small groups were getting traction and people’s lives were being changed for the better, albeit slowly. Momentum, growth, excitement, YES!!

Then summer came…. Did I mention I USED to love summer?

Now it’s more of a love/hate relationship. People have things to do in the summer, especially in Colorado. All winter we get cabin fever with the cold weather and the snow. So when summer hits, we are outdoors in a hurry. Weekend comes and we’re at the lake, in the mountains, at the flea market or just bar-b-quing in Tia Nencha’s back yard. Anything to get outdoors and enjoy the weather. Sundays morning services can be rough in this environment.

But summer’s almost over. It’s with bittersweet emotions that I write that line. On one hand, I love summer but on the other hand I’m honestly relieved that people will get back into a routine and we can take off again. Only 2 more weeks until kids go back to school.

Next summer we’ll be more ready for this lull in attendance, finances and enthusiasm.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

10,000 BC Church Planter, how big is your circle?

I just watched 10,000 BC. For the most part it was a pretty straight forward action/suspense caveman type movie with a few bird dinosaurs, mammoths and a sabertooth tiger thrown in for the coolness effect.

There was one part however that really stopped me and made me rewind the movie to watch it a couple more times. It was the scene when the star and his older mentor (uncle?) are talking around the campfire. This is what his uncle tells him:

“A good man draws a circle around him, and in it he cares for his family, his wife and children. A great man draws a larger circle including his brothers, his friends, and protects them as he would his family. But then there is the rare man who has a special destiny. His circle extends beyond boundaries to include the world of innocents who lack the will to defend themselves.”

As I thought about it, this is true, very true.

THE FIRST CIRCLE

“A good man draws a circle around him, and in it he cares for his family, his wife and children.”

For the most part, every man (with the exception of social misfits and deadbeat dads) draw the first circle. This is admirable in today’s society but it shouldn’t be, it should be the norm. However, we live in a postmodern society and this is where we find ourselves, in a place where men are commended for doing what they should be doing anyway. Either way, if you’re doing this first circle, I commend you. Stay the course. Pastors, this is the baseline minimum goal for the men in your church, especially the fathers. This is the ideal, this is where lives are changed, when men begin to follow Jesus and He changes their hearts so they become the men, husbands and fathers that He designed them to be.

THE SECOND CIRCLE

A great man draws a larger circle including his brothers, his friends, and protects them as he would his family.

The second circle is the rare man. This is a man who because his back is strong, is able to carry a larger burden than just his own family. This rare man is one that I like to draw close to myself as a leader at Mosaic. This kind of man not only takes care of his own responsibilities but he also sees the big picture, recognizing that there are those who are not as gifted, capable or talented as he is and rather than despising those who are weaker (or even worse, exalting himself) he chooses to reach out and help them also. This rare kind of man understands concepts like “serving” and can be an invaluable member to the church leadership team.

THE THIRD CIRCLE

“But then there is the rare man who has a special destiny. His circle extends beyond boundaries to include the world of innocents who lack the will to defend themselves.”

I am willing to bet there are a couple of these men in your church. If you are a church planter, you are one of these men. Church planter, be encouraged. You are this type of rare man. Church planting isn’t easy, glamourous or well paying. It’s the opposite: it’s hard, dirty and tight. But you, church planter are that rare man, designed for this task. Your circle is extending beyond boundaries. Make sure it includes those who are far from God. Don’t just preach to the choir. I heard Tommy Barnett say once “Everyone you exclude from your circle of love will eventually hurt you.” That’s true, I’ve seen it in my own stupid decisions time and time again. Make your circle big, include the disenfranchised.

Also, keep your eye out for this type of rare man in your church. I have a couple and their wisdom, sacrifice and dedication to those that can’t help themselves is invaluable. Keep an eye out for them because these type of rare men recognize one another. Develop yours and extend your boundaries even further.

God bless you rare Man of God!

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

Jim and Casper Go To Church

I’m reading this book, Jim and Casper go to church. So far so good. I really liked the introduction. Jim has definitely been around and he wears his worn out spiritual emotions on his sleeve (where I wear mine, it’s a good spot.)

This will definitely make me look at a few things we’re doing harder this Sunday. What do visitors think of my church? I actually asked a girl I work with to come to Mosaic as a secret shopper and her and her sister did. It was a valuable experience for me to debrief her after and get her thoughts on the service, the atmosphere, the greeters, etc. I need to do this more often.

We get a good share of visitors (well last couple nice summer Sundays aside) and we get good feedback but then they don’t comeback. What’s up with that? I don’t know. Maybe more focus group type stuff.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

Church Planting is Hard

This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Remember that scene in Wild Hogs (very funny movie) when Martin Lawrence gets to the convenience store to unclog the toilet and the clerk says “I saw my father shot, but I did not cry till today. I was robbed yesterday, and I know now, your job is the bad one. “

This is how I feel sometimes about church planting.

I started a Master’s Commission from scratch on the other side of the country when no one had ever heard of Master’s Commission. That was hard.

I ate brain tacos in 115 degree heat in a Mexican village on a mission trip, I ate haggis in England on a ministry trip and I lived as a homeless man in the inner city for a total of 6 days. That was hard.

“And I never cried…..Now I know your job (church planter) is the bad one.”

Ha, ha. I hope you’re getting my sarcasm here, it doesn’t come out very well in a blog but anyway. Church planting is the hardest ministry I’ve ever done…..it’s also the best.

As I learn and grow I’m sure I’ll get smarter (at least I hope I will). I meet pretty regularly with a couple of guys that advise me in what I’m doing and that help is invaluable. As I go I know I’ll make mistakes (I’ve already made a ton) and I hope to do a few things right.

I’ll keep this blog updated with both.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

Pastors, who do you know?

To all my pastor people,

Man I love pastors. I love hanging out with pastors, grilling in my backyard with my pastor friends. I like hanging out with people like me.

So do you.

That’s the problem. How many non-christian people do you know? How many do you hang around with? How many are your friends? I was a full-time pastor for years and during that time I slowly became insulated with christian friends and christian people around me. Now this isn’t a bad thing necessarily, it’s the way life goes.

Maybe that’s the problem.

Unless we are deliberately steering life, we just go the way it goes. Since I’ve been working at Starbucks I’ve become good friends with a lot of people that I never would have met otherwise. People who are not believers, some of my homies practice a gay lifestyle. Pastors do you know anyone who practices a gay lifestyle? How about people who don’t believe in God? People who don’t believe like you do? If you’re like I was, the answer is probably no.

Maybe it’s time for a change.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

How I Became a Bi-Vocational Pastor

I went “full-time” in ministry in 1997. I did this by starting a program for low income kids and raising my own salary (through grants, etc.) at a church in Greeley. I did that for a year and then was hired on by the church. For 9 years I was a full-time pastor. Last summer I resigned my ministry position to plant Mosaic church. We planted Mosaic with no money, no parent church, no money pledged, no nothing. We just went for it.

Right away, I noticed one thing. After I resigned from my old church, my kids still wanted to eat at least 3 times a day. Dang, what to do, what to do? So I dusted off my resume and started to apply. Initially I was given the old “thanks but no thanks” from the Starbucks management training program. The form letter said something like, “thanks for applying but we’re going to pursue other candiates at this time.” Shoot! What do I do? I really felt like starbucks was going to come through. This is what I did. I walked into a Starbucks in Greeley to have coffee with some friends and I saw a flyer for a management hiring fair. I can’t lie, I was a little put out because these guys didn’t hire me but now they’re doing a management hiring fair. I thought “Man, I must really suck.” So I just said “here goes nothing” and I showed up at the hiring fair about a week later. When I walked in, the lady that had sent me the letter was at the front table. She recognized my name and said: “Didn’t you try applying already?” Oh, well, we’ll give you a shot to interview with a district manager and see what he thinks.

Long story even longer, he hires me. Thank you God! I started as a Starbucks RMT - Regional Management Trainee (I think) on Sept. 10th and we had our first Mosaic service on Sept. 16th. What a week!