Fore please. Tony Morgan now driving.
I’m hitting the links for the next several days. I’m not going to have computer access. Because of that, I’ve changed the blog settings to hold your comments until I have a chance to approve them. Keep commenting. Eventually, they’ll get posted.
In the mean time, pray for sunshine. There’s rain in the forecast everyday I’m playing. I don’t like to golf in the rain. I get cranky.
I’ll let you know how things go when I get back. Pray for lots of birdies.
I have some cool news to share regarding WiredChurches.com. We recently announced our new partnership with Outreach, an online resource for church communication tools. This partnership will make Granger’s series graphics packages available through Outreach’s website and catalog. Outreach will be able to print and customize promotional materials for individual ministries. Additionally, Outreach will be able to provide banners, bulletins and other pieces featuring the designs of WiredChurches.com.
I’m really excited about this step because churches today are looking for culturally relevant, easy-to-use tools to reach people in their communities. We believe that making our series graphics available through Outreach will get Granger’s ideas in the hands of more churches to reach more people for Jesus. That’s our primary mission as a ministry.
In turn, Outreach will be linking to Granger’s message resources that are available on WiredChurches.com. Those include message subscriptions and transcripts, leadership downloads, small group materials, music, graphics packages, multimedia productions and more.
Though Outreach will be adding more WiredChurches.com graphics in the future, they have started by caring the series graphics packages for "Desperate Households."
Today’s edition of The Week Magazine has an overview article on megachurches.
I just learned today the Outreach Magazine recognized Simply Strategic Growth as one of three finalists in the "Year’s Best Outreach Resources" for outreach leadership training. How cool is that? Thom Rainer’s Breakout Churches won the prize for best resource in that category. The other two finalists were Reach by Scott Wilkins and LeadershipNext by Eddie Gibbs. What an honor! Thanks Outreach!
"We always have three or more interviews with each prospective hire, and we check references diligently. Unless they have drive, creativity, integrity and a great personality, Jumpstart isn’t the place for them. [If we're not certain], we pass and keep looking. This is hard, especially in today’s fast-paced environment, but it is essential."
Mitch Lowe, CEO of Jumpstart Automotive Media as quoted on Forbes.com (April 21, 2006)
So, when I got back from lunch with part of the Granger gang this afternoon, I found that I had been Buckinghamed. Pictures of Marcus Buckingham were plastered all over my office. His face covered the pictures hanging on my walls. He was staring at me from my television. He was hanging over my desk. His face was hiding under my desk. The women in the office (who think Marcus is "dreamy") thought it would be funny to hang the Brit’s mug shot all over my office.
Though we have a staff handbook that specifically forbids "practical jokes" and calls staff to demonstrate "the highest respect for others," these women decided it would be appropriate to mock their boss. Come to find out, they ignored the handbook because Marcus told them to "First, break all the rules."
This, my friends, is why I have a bone to pick with the Catalyst crew. If they wouldn’t have invited Buckingham to speak, I wouldn’t be dealing with this type of shenanigans.
I’m listening to the second episode of the Catalyst Podcast. They bumped it up a notch this go around. They moved into a studio. They’ve added a little banter. They almost sound like another podcast I’m a bit familiar with.
It’s a great podcast including an interview with Erwin McManus. You can’t go wrong with Erwin. The guy makes smart stuff sound simple for guys like me. Erwin also mentions my good friend Mark Batterson. Mark is a dynamic, young leader. He’s helping to shape the way the Church reaches today’s culture. I can’t wait to get to the Buzz Conference next week.
I was a little challenged by one segment of the show, though. The Catalyst crew mentioned that Marcus Buckingham will be teaching at the conference this year. The women on my team think he’s something. I don’t think it has anything to do with his leadership insights. I think it’s the British accent and his handsome looks. I can’t do anything about my looks. Maybe I should try the British accent. And then, who knows, maybe Catalyst will call me someday. Someday…
Here’s the "box score" for this past weekend at Granger Community Church.
Music: "Anyway" by Nichole Nordeman
Message: "The Mystery of the Arts" — Mark Beeson, senior pastor, talked about the importance of the arts in helping the church connect with today’s culture. He also challenged us to look for God’s Truth in the art around us and consider: What does this beauty say to me? How does the art help me understand my role in my Creator’s story?
Service Highlights: The media team put together a thought-provoking video that demonstrated how people respond to art (and Jesus) differently. The video, of course, is available online with the rest of the service on GCCwired.com.
Stats: 5,860 total attendance (4,633 adults + 1,227 kids); 27.4% increase from same weekend last year
Percentage of weekend attendance by service:
Final Notes: Next week’s message will focus on the "Mystery of the Bible." That will also offer an opportunity to help the church "Focus on 5."
Just in case you haven’t had a chance to listen to the most recent Simply Strategic Show podcast yet, here’s the big news: Perry Noble will be one of the main session speakers at this year’s Innovative Church Conference. Perry is the senior pastor of a little church of about 6,000 people in Anderson, South Carolina. After planting the church just 10 years ago, Perry has an amazing story to share about what God has been doing at NewSpring Church. I can’t wait to have him here in September, and I can’t wait to tell you who else is coming for this year’s conference.
Lots of random thoughts percolating in my brain tonight. Hopefully you’ll find some of this useful as well.
Peace out.
