I'm Facebookin'

I used to be all over Myspace...but over the past few weeks I have gotten seriously addicted to Facebook.

I've had one for about a year but never really did anything with it until recently. I'm having so much fun with it and meeting some really cool friends across the country.

If you have one hit me up. If not, join the craze....NOW.

Me A Church Planter?

Well the time is now to let everyone out in the blog world who reads, knows me personally, or is just crossing my path, know what has been going on with me over the past few weeks.

Many of you have been praying for me as I have been on somewhat of a journey.

Today I want to tell everyone that we have entered the church planting world. That's right you heard me. A Church Planter.

This past weekend, with my partners, we began the soft launch of Journey Church in Corpus Christi, TX. No, we aren't part of any of the other Journey Churches in America. I am one of the Sr. Leadership Team Pastors.

I have been busy constructing most of our web presence this week, launching our Journey Church Myspace, Facebook, Journey Inside Blog, and Journey Church Podcast so far. Plans are in the works next for our very own Journey Church Website.

I hope all of you can celebrate with me as we began this new Journey. Oh yeah...make sure you are praying for us.

Over the next few days I will be telling you more about our church as well.

Contribute

Another tip I want to give bloggers out there as they are building their identity or blogging brand is contribute.

What do I mean by that?

I mean contribute to what others are writing. Read the blogs of others and contribute to the conversation.

I believe blogging is not just about write and the world will beat to my door. Blogging is about relationships. It is about contributing to what others are saying out there.

As you do this you will find that others will then come and read your own material.

So go ahead there all you bloggers out there....CONTRIBUTE!!!

Make sure you read Part 1 Be Consistent.

Recruiting Video Series

If you haven't seen it yet and want to get caught up, I have a new video series started on Recruiting. It is designed to give some great tips for ministry leaders as the endeavor to fill those needed spots in their departments.



Look for another part coming this week.

Be Consistent In Your Blog

For the next few days or posts I want to talk about blogging.

One tip I can give to bloggers in the blog world as they are building up their "brand" is to be consistent. Especially in the beginning.

In my earliest days in the blogosphere I was new and knew nothing. I just typed up a little info because I moved and wanted a way for friends to keep up.

About eight months into my adventure I realized I liked it and was going to get really serious. So I began posting consistently.

Many people are searching for blogs to read. We live in an information society. As people find you they are looking for consistency. If you only post once a week or longer, you may find that people drop you quickly. Unless you are some pretty famous personality. But if you are like the rest of the 95% of the world, "the not so famous", you will need to give some consistent content.

So go ahead. Set a goal. Post at least once a day. Maybe even more. I once posted ten times in one day. Of course post ten times ever day and it may backfire.

So go out there and be consistent. Look for some more blog tips coming soon...oops...I mean consistently.

Thanks For The Prayers

Just wanted to give a big shout out to everyone out there that has been praying for the family and I. Know that you are blessed and highly favored and that you are birthing something huge in our lives and the Coastal Bend area.

Keep Swinging

This post by Perry really helped me out a week ago...it was needed for just that time. Thought it fit in perfectly with this video I uploaded sometime back.



If you are church planter or pastor or just someone who needs a little nudge...then the article and the video are for you...make sure you read and watch both...

Awesome To Be In The Sunrise

Thanks to a great friend who prayed for me today and gave me some scriptures to munch on.

I had a great release to move forward. God is an awesome God and is going to continue to do some great things through my family.

Psalm 112 really spoke to me today. Make sure you read it.

Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—

Please Pray

Received some real unsettling news tonight. Please pray for the family and I.

I know that God is in control and our lives are in His hands.

Laying the Smack

Gary, Gary, Gary....I know you are so proud and happy about your #11 Dawgs and probably it is a wonderful accomplishment in your mind.

But sorry...Horns #3.

I will give my props to USC and Ohio State fans.

What If?

What if we could be as bold as Jonathan was?

What if a crazy group of people latched on to God for all He is worth?

What if we really believed that what happened in the book of Acts could happen here?

Is it possible?

Am I crazy to even ask?

I wonder just where this journey could take us.

JUST WHAT IF????

Bold Freaking Crazy

So I'm sitting here at 1:30 a.m. and I'm asking myself, "Self, are you freaking crazy?"

And I think I heard an "absolutely!!!!" somewhere in there.

I been thinking about the story of when Jonathan and his armor bearer decide to go attack the Philistine army on their own without telling anyone. That would be I Samuel 14:1-15

Jonathan was a nut. Do you realize how much boldness that had to take? or was he just freaking crazy?

Can I have that same about of boldness? Can I be that crazy? Can I totally trust God that much and step out on that much faith?

He had to realize that the odds were against him. He had to realize that in the natural this was a totally stupid move.

Not only that but I don't remember him hearing from God, praying for a week waiting on some confirmation, or God telling him to do anything. In fact it looks like he was sitting there kind of bored and kind of said..."Yo...you fill like doing something freaking crazy?"

And then in verse 6 he says, "Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf." N-U-T

I guess his armor bearer was cut from the same cloth cause off they went.

You know what...God showed up. God was there. I have this crazy feeling that God loves boldness because it is the very essence of faith.

You know what...that's the kind of faith I want. And that is exactly what I'm gonna do. I have no choice but to put my life in God's hands completely.

And I'm bold freaking crazy enough to think that God is going to shake the whole earth for me.

I think leaders have to be bold. Leadership sometimes takes some bold moves. Some moves that you or others aren't going to figure out. But it is in those bold moves that God moves.

Standing On Faith

I feel like I have applied to about 100 jobs over the past week. I've sent out resumes, filled out online job applications, made phone calls...and you know what I've found out. This is a completely frustrating position to be in.

Please pray for my family and I...I feel like the clock is ticking and I'm not sure what we are going to do. Of course I am totally trusting in God but this is probably one of the most hardest places we have been in our lives.

I wish I could honestly say I knew what God was trying to do in our lives but you know what...I'm not really sure.

He really has driven me to some deep fundamental beliefs and desires. (I may try to share those in future posts.) We are standing and trusting in complete faith in Him. A whole lot of me says don't worry God is in control. And there is this wee little voice that I'm working on keeping silent that is saying "You're in big trouble boy!"

So here I am...praying for the faith of a mustard seed. Knowing that God reigns supreme and that is promises are sure. And it is on faith that I STAND.

What Example Are We Setting

Have to say that I have something that has been eating at me for about a week. One of my favorite churches and a pastor (I will keep them nameless.) who I have really had a lot of respect for made a statement in his message a week or two ago that really struck me odd and has been eating on me.

Now I will be up front and say that this is not a blast at this pastor or at this particular church because I don't think what I will be saying is his heart or were his intentions. I am beginning to question though this type of thinking and whether it is a great example to be displaying especially in a day and age where through the internet, messages can be quickly disseminated.

The statement made in his message was that what he was preaching on was a topic that in some churches most pastors would be fired for preaching on it. But since they didn't vote in his church he wasn't worried about the people voting him out. They were stuck with him.

Now I also do remember hearing another pastor say a similar comment that he couldn't be fired so they were stuck with him.

This is purely my opinion but I see these as some dangerous statements. It seems to me that there are many entrepreneurial driven pastors who are setting up their churches as a business with them as the CEO. Almost like a small business where the person leading can't be fired.

Then with this "power" they feel they can make off the cuff comments like that. What appears to me as being the danger in this is that younger pastors who may like their style or their ministry because it is thriving will begin to emulate this. Other younger pastors may not be able to handle the accountability or surround themselves with a great team and may abuse this power.

I know these are just bold, brass, cutting edge statements but I really do question whether they should continue to be made.

It is like there is the church business pastor lifestyle being created out there. Maybe it is because for a long time churches have been held back by boards that do not allow the pastor to lead. I'm not sure. All I know is that comments like these should not be said even to a congregation. Fella's lets show a greater level of leading in this modern internet world.

Major Changes Part 3

If you all ready didn't know...We've been going through some major changes in our life. You can catch up at Major Changes Part 1 and Part 2.

In all of these changes I am going forward with one of my goals which I have had for some time now. That is to begin my own personal ministry. I have decided to call it....Making Difference Makers.

It is going to be a ministry dedicated to helping pastors all across the country with the administration side of church. Often times I see great men and women of God who struggle with the business and organization side of church. They have a great passion for God and are truly humble and depending on Him but with no grasp of a vital portion of ministry they are unable to experience the joy of a thriving and growing church.

Making Difference Makers hopes to give back much of the experience and knowledge gained from 14 years of ministry in growing a thriving ministry.

Over the coming months you will see a couple of changes in the tone of this blog as well as the look of some of my personal sites that will reflect this new direction.

Making Difference Makers - Recruiting Part 2

Hillsong Pics

As I said...it was awesome.

Major Changes Part 2

As some know already, I turned in my resignation from the Church I was working at. I am now in the process of hunting for a job. This is interesting because I have only looked for a secular job once in 14 years of ministry experience.

The first time was when I left Kingsville, TX in 2001. I left there with no job prospect and we decided to stay in the Victoria Texas area with no prospect of working at a Church. We stayed there after a meeting with the Pastor at Faith Family Church, Jim Graff, who met with me and asked me to stay and train there. Within about two months a position opened up in their school and so we worked there for 5 years.

We have some potential ministry opportunities that we are looking into as well.

Be in prayer as we move into this phase of our life.

There are more Major Changes coming and I hope to update you as quickly as possible.

How Was Hillsong United Live?

Two words:

Simply Awesome

16,000 people in Lakewood church rockin' out and praising God with Hillsong United. Could it be anymore than that?

Will be posting pics later today.

You Ever Notice

You ever notice that when I don't post for a couple of days it like I try to make up for it with like 5 or 6 in one day.

I sure did.

Hillsong United - Live

This Sunday...I am taking all of my family to the Hillsong United concert at Lakewood in Houston.

Don't be hatin' on me if I have closer seats than you...if you happen to be there.

I am going to try to take some pics so next week I will be a postin'.

Major Changes Part 1

Part 1 of my major changes that life has brought this week.

First of all I turned in my resignation this week at the church I was at. I am no longer on staff there in any capacity. I was blessed and sent off tonight at our youth meeting and said goodbye. It was tough choking back the tears. There are some awesome teens that God has blessed and allowed us to be part of their lives. Many of them chose to follow Christ for the first time in their lives and we were part of that. One young man even came up and told me that he felt I was a lot like his dad. That one was really tough for me. I really value the time I had with these teens. They are awesome.

This is one of the toughest things you ever have to do in youth ministry.

Stay Tuned For More Major Changes

I-Tunes Shuffle

Got tagged by Chris. This sometimes is a great way to get to know a person. And doing this one for a buddy of mine is cool. Make sure you check out his blog.

His tag was for me to pull off the top ten songs that come up in I-Tunes if I hit shuffle.



Here they be.

Unify by Hillsong United
Run by Kutless
King of Glory by Third Day
Somewhere in the Sky by Kutless
Draw Me Closer by Hillsong United
Ammunition by Switchfoot
Track 2 off my beats cd...only beats no words
Beyound The Surface by Kutless
Now It Moves by Salvador
Always A Whisper by Salvador

One of my favorites that wasn't in the top 10 but was at number 15 was From The Inside Out by United.

There you go...off to Tyler, Joel, Matt, David, and Gina. Tell me what your 10 tens songs in your itunes if you do a party shuffle.

Changes

Thursday I will be discussing some changes I'm going through. Until then I probably won't be silent...but I'm not sure because I've been busy.

I'm Not Gonna Do It

This is our youngest daughter. Look at that face...

What would you title this???

Communicate Simply

Often times as communicators, pastors sometimes have a gift of making the simple so complex. Our roles though as we communicate should be to make it simple for the people to whom we speak.

Three tips for you to use to make things simpler in planning for your next presentation are:

1. Before you plan your next message, answer this question:

"If I can only get one point across to the exclusion of all else, what would it be?" Pay attention to that. Let go of the rest.

2. Don't speak over everyone's head.

Edit your language--in length as well as terminology--so a 9 year-old can understand it. Then everyone around you will know that you understand it, too.

3. When you catch yourself wanting to add too much information, go back and ask yourself the question in #1.

READ MY POST ON MESSAGE PREP SYSTEM TO INCREASE YOUR EFFECTIVENESS IN COMMUNICATING.

Making Difference Makers - Recruiting Part 1

Here is a new video series on Recruiting I'm starting here.

Buzz Conference Media

Mark Batterson of National Community Church (Washington, D.C.) just announced all the audio from this year’s Buzz Conference sessions is available for download. Their plans are to make the video available as well. Sessions include:

• Mark Batterson converting the Moscow Rules into leadership tactics for modern ministry.
  
• Tim Stevens of Granger Community Church (Granger, IN) sharing insights into creating buzz by using the leverage of modern culture as the momentum to compel.
  
• Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) discusses innovation in leadership and ministry.
  
• Craig Groeschel discusses practical atheism. (available to download October 2007)
  
• Mark Batterson discusses tactics for greater leadership.

All of these can be found at http://buzzconference.com/media/ and are great resources for anyone in ministry.

Happy 5th of July Part 2

Due to the rains over the past week our 4th of July fireworks got moved to the 5th. We went to watch.

Happy 5th of July

Huh??? Woke up to this in my front yard today. Nothing like leading teenagers.


Thanks Guys...
Maybe this could be a new fundraising idea...like the pink flamingo one....hmmm

Eye-cast Episode 35

Eye-cast...Podcast #35 for Elevate...Here we go...Juno Garcia, Jason Curlee, Shelly Stokes, Onessimo Morales, Jessenia Hernandez, Maritza Delgado, and Rachel Cullers talk about the night and Jason's escapades on the side of a cliff at camp.

This week our message is called "More Than Meets The Eye". It is by Jason Curlee, and concludes our series called ELEV8FLIX and is based on the movie Transformers.

Our nugget time is by Juno Garcia.


>>>Click Here<<< To Subcribe Through Itunes

-->> Download the MP3 directly here<<--

-->> Listen online here <<--

I Caught Myself Lying

Well everyone around me knows just how humble of a person I am. You know the type of guy that is self-less and never thinks of himself. A person who lets everyone go to the front of the line before him. Doesn't look to get any credit. And says that he would write this blog and do his podcast even if NO ONE READ OR LISTENED.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah right. Don't read that first paragraph with my wife around. Actually besides the front of the line thing most of that up there isn't who I am. What??? You're Shocked???

Now I'm not saying I'm this egotistic self-centered person because that really isn't me either. But I did reflect on it this past week.

I have been guilty of saying that I would write this blog and do our podcast even if no one read or listened. And then I would run home or to the office and check my google analytics like 5 or 10 times a day. And check my podcast download statistics to see how many were listening. ANYONE ELSE DO THAT????

Why is it that I feel this need to want to know that what I'm saying is getting out to people? Maybe it is part of my personality...or strengths...I don't know.

I do know this. Hopefully I won't go around saying that I'll do this even if no one _______. Well you fill in the blank!!!

P.S. I'm really not as self-centered as I made myself out to be. Right Honey???

2007 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

Every 4th of July I enjoy watching the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. This year Joey Chestnut ate 66 hot dog's to bring the championship back home to America.

That's a whole lot of food...don't know how you can fit all that in your stomach.

July 4th

Happy July 4th to everyone. Hope your day goes well.

A New Thing Under The Sun

Could there possibly be ways of doing things that are new?

I say that because I was listening to Rick Warren's Pastors Podcast which I may add is an excellent podcast to listen to if you are involved in any area of ministry.

This past week he had Erwin McManus on it and it was terrific. The top was Creating A Culture of Innovation.

During the podcast they brought up the scripture...there is nothing new under the sun.

I had been guilty of using this statement often. For the past two days I have been coming back to it over and over. I have to say that I really disagree how we use that one today. We use it in a way to blow off pushing forward and being innovative.

There are new and innovative ways of doing things. I even think there are new and innovative ways of doing church that haven't been done yet.

Often times we stay stuck in the past and try to stay rooted in past ways of doing church successfully. But all around us the landscape is changing. Our culture is changing. Often times I think church just tries to stand still.

Think about it. The church of today really is a church that is modeled in the 1900's. And yet we fight fiercely to keep it saying it is the only way to do it.

Much of today's present church and how people are doing it is really is the same thing they have being doing for about 50 years or so.

That being said I think God that the message of Jesus Christ will always and surely stand the test of time and is the one thing that should never change. But I believe there are new and innovative methods that will help propel that message in today's culture.

Consistent Posting

Blogging is about being consistent no matter which method you choose.

I say that because I was looking at all my posts today and was thinking...hmmm...(that was me thinking)...I was thinking that it was a pretty random day.

You know what I mean. A lot of posts with a lot of random things. Don't know if that is a picture of my mind or what.

But for me it's ok. I feel as a blogger you to develop a rhythm. And to do that you have to post consistently. For me that means sometimes several times a day.

I have learned that as I post out comes some nuggets that are keepers.

I'm really not the long one time a day blogger like some other guys I know. I kind of have a shotgun approach and hope that one of those little bb's hits ya.

For you if you are new to blogging or haven't done it. Figure out what works for you and above all be consistent. As you are consistent you will find that your creativity will flow out of it.

And with that...I'm out...who knows I may even post again today...there's still time.

Snake Eats Hippo

Must be video night....this is crazy.

Insane

You gotta be kiddin' me...check out 1:45 in...no way.

Rated G

Dang...now you know.



Thanks David

Discover Your Strengths

One book I'm reading right now is Now, Discover Your Strengths. I have put this on my list of books that every pastor or ministry leader should read.

I'm about half-way through and took my strengths finder test. I have to admit...it pretty much nailed it.

Top five:

Focus
Learner
Achiever
Self-assurance
Maximizer

This is going to be some useful information for me as with a better understanding of my strengths I can explain to my wife all the faults in me. LOL...J/K honey.

Mad Church Disease

Remember if you are a pastor, former pastor, ministry leader, volunteer, or a spouse of any of the above, go to Mad Church Disease and fill out a survey on burnout in ministry.

Do it...DO IT NOW!!!

Multi-Site and Andy Stanley Part 2

This post continues in response to a post by Michael called Question for Andy Stanley.

To get caught up in the conversation view Multi-Site and Andy Stanley Part 1.

3. I really like the thought of multi-site but don't like the thought of everything being built around my personality. That doesn't mean I wouldn't or couldn't lead. But I feel different people reach a different type of person. That is why I don't like the video venue's. Don't get me wrong there can be a place for it. Sometimes a video could go out to start a series and then in the following message the campus pastors could teach.

I also know there are some great pastors in those multi-site who are just that great pastors but are not teachers and so the video has a place there. But not a video venue for the sake of myself being the main speaker everywhere.

That is why it is important to build strong teams at each site utilizing everyone's gifts, strengths and talents.

4. My main view of multi-site is to establish a main location in a city hub. This main location would then feed the other sites which would probably be in smaller locations. The main location could provide the stability to handle a larger staff that would bring the creativity and technology demands to the smaller sites. They could produce the video productions as well as graphic designs and production value needed that a smaller site can't handle. This would free up the smaller site to do what they could really do best. Love and care for people.

Mad Church Disease

Need your help for a friend of mine. Anne is writing a book called Mad Church Disease and is currently in a research and development stage.

She is trying to get as many church staff, staff spouses, and volunteers to participate in the survey. Research on ministry burnout has been done, but nothing lately and nothing to this extent.

The goal is to get at least 5000 survey participants.

Click picture below to participate.