I’m speaking at the Whiteboard Sessions in Virginia Beach today. For those who will be there (and those who won’t), here are my notes in case you are interested.

And, if you want to read the rest of Killing Cockroaches, you may order it here using my Amazon link.

Hope to see you at WIBO!

It’s hard to believe, but Killing Cockroaches was released one year ago. The book continues to be available on Amazon and in your local bookstores, but I also have about 125 copies remaining. So, until supplies last, you can purchase a copy for $10 plus shipping. I’ll sign it. With that, I’m sure it’ll become a collectible.

You may use the link below to place your order.

By the way, you may not know that I’ve also written three other books with Tim Stevens. The three books are part of the “Simply Strategic” series. One is on details of running a church. There’s one on volunteer strategy. The third one is on growing churches. Again, all three of these books including the Kindle version of Simply Strategic Volunteers is available on Amazon.

My next FREE leadership training event will be in Seattle on Saturday, February 27 at The Rock Church. Join me for a morning of teaching and conversation on leadership and ministry strategy. The event will feature stories and learnings from my recent book, Killing Cockroaches: and Other Scattered Musings on Leadership.

This event is designed for both staff and volunteer church leaders. Though the event is free, you’ll need to register here so that we can plan appropriately. Here are the specific details:

Schedule

9:00 am     Check-in

9:30 am     Session 1: Building Teams and Empowering Leaders (Volunteer/Staffing Strategy)

10:15 am   Q&A

10:45 am   Break

11:15 am   Session 2: Finding Your Focus (Outreach/Discipleship/Communications Strategy)

12:00 pm   Q&A

12:30 pm   Event Concludes

Host Church

Seattle (February 27) at The Rock Church in Monroe, WA – get directions

Whatever you do, don’t come to the event alone! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard leaders say, “I wish my staff and volunteer leaders could have been here to hear what you had to say.” Just ask my friends who were at the recent event in Houston. I promise to keep the talks simple and practical.

Hope to see you in Seattle. Tell your friends!

Here are the notes from the two sessions I taught at the Killing Cockroaches tour stop in Houston.

• Session One
• Session Two

The Houston crowd rocked! Thanks for being there and engaging the conversation.

I know Christmas is next week, but there are some important things coming up that you may want to get on your radar:

1. Big Announcement – Next Sunday, December 20, I’m going to have some big news to share. It’s BIG! (But, no, Emily’s not pregnant.)
2. New Coaching Networks – Applications have started to flow in for the two new coaching networks – one on the Web and one in Atlanta. Deadline for applications is January 8.
3. Killing Cockroaches Tour Stop – I’ll be in Houston, Texas on January 21 for a tour stop at Cypress Creek Christian Church. Registration is FREE.
4. Velocity 2010 – I’m speaking the ChurchPlanters.com conference in February. And, Brian and I are pulling together a special gathering for church planters in conjunction with that event. Stay tuned for details.

Oh, and I got another fun invitation on Friday, but you’ll just have to sit tight for the lowdown on that one. It’s still a secret.

Here are the 10 winners of the Cockroach Christmas contest. Each of them will receive a free copy of Killing Cockroaches for their Christmas stocking. In no particular order, the winners are:

• Alicia White
• Rob Shepherd
• Tim Hart
• Elle
• Darrell Jordan
• Chris Hill
• Rick Faulkner
• Ken McGarity
• Tyler Tufte
• jb

If you happen to be one of the winners, email Jennifer your mailing address so we can shoot a copy to you.

So I recently found out from my publisher that Killing Cockroaches is in its fifth printing. I guess that means people are buying the book. And, given the fact that the book has only been out for 9 months, that’s probably a positive sign.

Since everyone will be in the Christmas shopping mood on Friday, I thought I might offer some helpful advice:

• Order a copy of Killing Cockroaches and wrap it as a gift to yourself. If you do it this week, you’ll forget about it by Christmas and it’ll be a fun surprise.
• Order a copy for your spouse. That way they know how to support you when the cockroaches begin to creep into your life.
• Order a copy for your boss…but make it an anonymous gift. Your boss doesn’t need to know you think they’re addicted to cockroach killing.
• Order a copy for everyone on your team and read through it together.

Oh, and just to get you in the holiday mood, I also have ten copies of Killing Cockroaches that I’m ready to give away. Just leave a comment on this post and I’ll put your name in the hat. The drawing will take place on Black Friday.

(Bonus points will go to the best cockroach carol.)

Heads up East-coasters. I’m going to be in Delaware next Friday, October 2 for a “Killing Cockroaches” tour stop. The folks at HighTide Church in Dagsboro, Delaware are hosting the event.

The tour stop is based on the content from my recently released book. I’m hoping to challenge and encourage church leaders to take a fresh look at their leadership and ministry approach. This workshop will feature two interactive sessions. The first will be on leadership development, particularly as it relates to building volunteer teams. The second will help churches find focus in their teaching, discipleship strategy and communications to reach people for Jesus and help them take steps in their faith.

Come prepared to ask questions. And, don’t forget to bring your team. This event is designed for both church staff and volunteers.

Register you and your teammates. There’s a discount available for groups of five people.

Hope to see you on Friday.

Got an encouraging note this past week from Jason. He recently read Killing Cockroaches. This is the result I’ve been praying for. Jason shared:

I just wanted to personally let you know how much your book, Killing Cockroaches, made an impact on me. Your words have helped me in the following ways:

1. I laughed – out loud – while reading a book on Spiritual Leadership

2. I Love my God, my wife, and my children more because of your family stories

3. My vision is clearer

4. My sermons are much more direct and relevant to our current culture

5. My leadership style has changed completely

6. My faith has increased

7. Criticism hurts people

8. Our ministry must be to equip the saints, not kill cockroaches

9. Stories are powerful

10. It’s not about how great we are, but can we help people