How people see their leader

I am currently leading two men's groups, one on Tuesday and the other on Wednesday mornings at 7:30am. I selected 6 guys in our church with leadership potential and hunger for growth. This combined with a small group one night a week, preaching, leading our staff, plus connecting with new people is proving to be too much. I am working to shift my mornings to be more focused on message prep. I was sharing this with one of my men's groups discussing the possibility of moving our meeting to the afternoon for the sake of my schedule and sanity! One of the guys made a comment that made me have so much more respect for him. He said, "bro, if you need to just do one group we can continue on and you can focus on the other group, we want you as our leader to stay healthy." This is the kind of attitude every senior leader wants to have on their team.

Here is something I was thinking about after that conversation. Every leader like Ed Young, Andy Stanley, Bill Hybels, Craig Groeschel has people who have: been with them from the beginning, jumped on mid train, and left mid train. When I think of Ed Young it is hard to think of him apart from thinking about Fellowship Church. When I think of Bill Hybels I will always simultaneously think of Willow Creek. I think that this is the right way to see these men because what has flowed out of their lives is merely an extension as who they are at their core of their being. Their vision was there in their hearts before it ever became a reality. Often people from the leader's inner circle struggle when things grow and access changes. They would rather have their pastor burnout than lose access. There are other guys on the other hand like the guy from my men's group who is more concerned about building the kingdom and their pastor staying healthy! I want to be surrounded by guys who are excited about our church reaching more people. I want men who can think big enough to allow my leadership style to shift even if that means they don't get to spend as much time with me. These are the kind of people you end up wanting to spend time with because they understand leadership and the kingdom and have a heart for more than just being friends with the pastor!

May God give our team and I the grace to shift our style of operation as He gives us more influence in His Kingdom!

A Sacrifice of Praise

I am so proud of my wife Stacie for her willingness to share from her pain and trust God during a difficult season of life. Stacie and I have been trying to get pregnant with child #2 for almost 2 years. We know this is all a part of God's plan and we trust His timing, but it is also very painful. In sharing this story Stacie and I desire to minister from our challenges with the hope that someone will be encouraged to trust God no matter what the circumstances. I love you babe! I couldn't be more proud to call you my wife! I am a blessed man.

Peace from South Bay Church on Vimeo.

Sunday Night Reflections

We had a very jammed packed weekend at South Bay Church. It started with a group of 24 people from Lake Pointe Church and Rush Creek church arriving on Wednesday and Thursday of last week.

Here are some highlights from the 4th weekend:
* Mission Teams hung 6,000 door hangers in two days.
* Close to 10,000 total evangelistic touches were made.
* Over 50 volunteers representing South Bay served at the City 4th of July festival. The team represented Jesus well by serving with humility and a "happy heart"! Thank you for building a great name for the church and for the gospel in our community.
* Gave away literally thousands of beach balls, balloons, and kids prizes at festival on the 4th! Seemed like people were having a blast! It was a great first connect with South Bay Church.
* We received a personal email from one of our city officials today thanking South Bay for serving at the festival. It is such a great joy to know that God can use us to bless our community!
* Started Life Apps series. Our team did a great job with staging and all the elements that went into the look. I am extremely proud of this series because everything from set elements to publicity was done by our volunteers and staff. Good job gang!
* 185 people in worship today! This includes 28 from Mission Teams. I am still encouraged by the 157 from our community on the 4th weekend. I am praying that God helps us continue to build momentum throughout the rest of the summer.
* Message on peace today. Talked from Philippans 4. It was great to be speaking again after a four week break! Talked about God's desire for us to lay our burdens at His feet. Everybody was given a brick when they walked in. At the end of the service we encouraged everyone to give that brick to God and lay it on the altar.
* We don't experience peace in the big areas of life because we fail trust God in the small things of life. We have to start trusting God with what is in front of us right now.
* Stacie shared about a testimony of our struggles getting pregnant a second time. Stacie did this via video. I am very proud of her for her courage to share her pain and minister through the difficulty our family has been facing! She talked about how God has given her peace in the midst of this!
* We are making tremendous progress as a team and as a church. It is a real honor to serve Jesus and to be a part of His kingdom! We have some areas to really grow and improve, but I must say that I am encouraged by all that God is doing and I am reminded that the best is ahead!
* Looking forward to next week as we talk about courage!

Life Apps begins this Sunday!

Have you ever wished you could just download certain characteristics into your life? Wouldn't it be nice to have more peace, courage, wisdom, integrity and self-control? You're invited to join us over the next five weeks as we discover practical truths from the Bible for adding desired attributes to our lives.
July 5- The Peace App
July 12- The Courage App
July 19- The Wisdom App
July 26- The Integrity App

Meeting Sunday's @ 10:30am at Don Callejon School. Click here for directions.