Earlier today the new and improved WiredChurches.com went live. The highlight here is the new ecommerce solution that will hopefully make shopping for resources and registering for workshops and conferences a much more delightful experience for everyone. Props go out to one of our key volunteer techies, John D., for pulling off that huge transition. (I’m still giving you a big "Standing O" for that win, John.)

For the record, that shot of me walking down the country road with "the other simply strategic guy" may be the last time I tucked in my shirt.

Just checked email from the road and learned that there are already over 120 church leaders registered to join us in Granger on Monday for the upcoming WiredChurches.com workshops. It’s always a blast to host these one-day events on our campus and meet folks from throughout the country who are on a journey to take their next steps in ministry so they can reach more people for Jesus. It’s not too late to join us on Monday for one of three topics that are being presented. The workshops on Monday will include facility management, children’s ministry and communications/marketing.

All these workshops are fantastic, but I’d like to put in a special plug for the LiveWire workshop with Kem Meyer and others from our communications and tech teams. I’ve not found anything like it across the country yet. Kem has some great insights to share from her years working in both the marketplace and in ministry. She will certainly challenge not only what you communicate, but how that gets delivered using today’s technology. It’s good stuff.

If you decide to join us on Monday, make sure you look me up. I’ll be hanging around the various workshops throughout the day.

I enjoy reading Terry Storch’s blog because Terry and I have similar roles. The main differences, of course, are that his church (Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX) is super-sized from Granger and he’s a lot smarter than me. His post yesterday talked about his specific roles at Fellowship including his role with CreativePastors.com.

Like Terry, I’m wearing a couple of different hats at Granger. My day job is the Pastor of Administrative Services where I oversee a number areas including technology, communications, finance, facilities, some HR functions, etc. On the side, though, I’m also the Executive Director of WiredChurches.com. That’s Granger’s ministry to help equip other churches and leaders with cool resources and training opportunities.

Our focus with WiredChurches.com is to bring practical help to churches who aren’t looking for church growth theory but want real solutions from real people. We’re also trying to bring innovation to leaders so the church can be more effective in introducing pre-Christians to the forgiveness, hope and love found in Jesus Christ.

It’s not a secret around Granger. That’s where I’m having the most fun. I love my day job, but it’s the opportunity to equip other leaders where I experience the thrill of the ride. So, like Terry, I’m havin’ fun too.

We had a great crowd at the WiredChurches.com workshop yesterday at Granger about 150 church leaders were on the campus from throughout the Midwest. Even had a few diehards visiting from Orlando. They must have gotten lost, but we’re grateful because they brought some sunshine and warmer temps with them.

Tim and I taught the Simply Strategic Volunteers workshop to about 100 people. It was a great day. Lots of good interaction. I love workshop days and hearing the stories about what God is doing at other cool churches throughout the country.

Tim and I will be unveiling our Simply Strategic Growth workshop in July. That will follow the release of the book in June.