.Real.Greg.Lee.

I’m always thinking about re-structuring our staff leadership, but have been slow to move.  But, it was becoming apparent with growth, we had to make a change in our weekly staff meeting.  What worked great with 4 (or even 7-8) people, became cumbersome with 13 ministry staff around the table.  Decisions get made differently and you could spend an hour just getting updates by going around the table.

I also felt like there was a growing disconnect between that ministry staff and the 6 office support staff we have, who have had their own staff meetings, but never been in on ministry staff meetings.

So, we are experimenting.   Our new structure simplifies:  Once a month (first Tuesday) we have an all staff meeting including support staff and once a month (third Tuesday) we have a ministry staff meeting.  Here’s the immediate benefits:

1.  Fewer meetings.  Who doesn’t love that?

2.  Meetings that have a more defined focus, including at the spiritual level and team values level. I’ll post later on this.

3.  Higher expectations, especially in the ministry staff meeting in these areas:  Preparation: if you are unprepared, it will be a month (not a week) before you get a chance to present it again.  Accountability:  It’s hard to track progress week to week on ministry areas, but we should see progress month to month.  Outside collaboration:  It is now obvious that staff meetings are only for discussion of topics that affect ALL staff.  This pushes conversations that really only affected part of the staff out of the staff meeting and into other more focused meetings.

Posted in Suncrest

OK.  I’ve referenced it a few times in passing, so I might as well throw it out there directly.  In my time out of the office this summer, I sensed that God may be leading us toward launching an online campus.  I almost cringed at first when I mentioned it to anyone…our elders, our staff, friends in ministry, our community group, but I was very, very interested in getting critical feedback. 

We are far from announcing (and may never announce) that we are going to launch such a campus, but the enthusiasm and critque in the dialog has been off the charts!  A few thoughts:

• We certainly would not be the first church doing such.  Many do it and do it with an amazing level of interactivity.
• If you think internet campus means just watching a sermon in your pajamas at your convienence, you would be totally wrong.
• In a very short time, Suncrest has been welcomed into the conversation by some of the biggest innovators around the country in leveraging technology for ministry.

Yesterday, DJ Chaung, used some questions Mary Beth Stockdale and I gave him on his “Digital @ Leadership Network” blog to carry on the conversation about online campuses.  You can see that here.  (Leadership Network is the same group that pioneered the Leadership Community I’m in with other young pastors of larger churches.)

For what it’s worth…here is the first set of questions I’m personally working through…would love your feedback on any or all of them in the comments section below.  You can see it is wide-ranging…and that when someone asks me for 5 questions, I figure out a way to make it 15!

1.        What makes something church (or, conversely, what keeps something from being church).  What are the essentials biblically?  Is it Acts 2:42?  Other passages?  Is there a reason any of this can or can’t happen online.  What are the experiences that MUST be a part of it?  Worship services?  Communion?  Offering? Small Groups? Bible Study? Serving those in need? Do all of these happen online?

2.       How do spiritual gifts work?  Serving?  Leadership Development?

3.       Is an online campus of a “located” ministry the best expression?  I think this suggests that an online campus is an experience legitimate enough to qualify as someone’s “church” experience, but not fundamentally different enough from the bricks and mortar church that it can’t be “part” of it.  Would it be better for a church just to use the internet as a tool for the aspects of ministry that are best carried out online, but don’t make it someone’s whole church experience?  Or, on the other hand, should we let internet churches lead their own way without potentially limiting them when seen as a campus or a part of a physically located ministry.

4.        Practically, what are the liability factors, if any?  Is there church responsibility for any relationships…especially where there is the potential of being taken advantage of?  In bricks/mortar world, we think of children’s volunteers and background checks…are there any parallel issues online that put the larger church at risk?

5.       Also practically, how does this work financially?  After start-up, would it be projected to fund itself?  What type of front-end investment is there?  What staff positions are essential to doing this well?

Posted in Suncrest

We love stories around here of changed lives. Whenever we do baptisms, it seems like those rise to the top.  On Sunday, we had 7 baptisms at West Campus.  One was a child baptized by his parents.  One was Mike Ward, who’s journey I’ve written about twice before HERE and HERE.  Another was a couple baptized together after attending for some time.

They wrote me sunday afternoon:  To be baptized by immersion was such a touching experience. Our Indiana family, Lynn, Dave, and Steven Carlson, took us to breakfast and shared quality time with us. I have always found it interesting that no matter where God leads our family, He places special people in our paths that have become not just friends but family. We are blessed in many ways, especially to have more family here at Suncrest. These little sheep have truly found a loving church home. We truly feel that connection.

One thing we ask everyone to do at their baptism is to share with us part of their story by answering a few questions.  I loved the one Brian Ferber wrote out so I’ve included it below.

Who first told you about Jesus?

I learned of Jesus as a Child, when going to church with my parents two times on Sunday and once on Wednesday from as far back as I can remember till around 15 years of age (In an extremely legalistic church – I’d love to tell you the stories).  Problem was…I didn’t believe a lick of it, thought it was entirely made up by man to control the “simple-minded” people of the world.  I spent the next 20 years of my life debating against the existence of a God with anyone who was up to the challenge…I was very confident I had it “All Figured Out”.

When did you first experience Jesus?

The funniest thing to me is that even though I was sure there was no God…my best friends through my adult life always seemed to be Christians…So much so that everyone I considered a friend prior to my commitment to Christ is a weekly attender of a gospel based Church (4 different churches!!)…and the truth is, I was the only one of them that was empty inside…I had no enjoyment in my life…no happiness in my marriage.. I was just passing time at work, drinking too much and slowly getting older.

One of them had been on me pretty consistently for a couple months to have another sit down conversation regarding faith… This time he brought in one of my co-workers also a Christian. I had decided prior to meeting with them that I was going to listen without debate. 4 hours later I accepted Jesus to be my guiding light and savior.

I won’t lie, things got worse before they got better…But I felt an inner peace…and that was my first experience with Jesus.

What does Jesus mean to you?

Wow…..where to begin…I talk to him all the time..when I’m feeling small or tall..He gives me great joy..and I’m thankful for everything he has done for me.

I study his words in the bible, and am amazed at how simple his teachings are in text…and how hard they are to accomplish in life.  I have a long way to go to be more like him..and that’s all I want to be.

Who has influenced you to accept Christ as Savior and be baptized?

My Wife who always told me “You do too believe in God, your just a jerk who likes to argue.”  My Father who has never attacked my beliefs even when I attacked his.  My friends Rob, Jason, and Tim who never gave up on me…God bless their stubbornness. A rather caring counselor from Bethel, Chris Carr.  And an undeniable account of why we are here, and what we are supposed to do…as told in the Bible.

Even Fools like me can receive the Gift of Grace…Amen!

Posted in Suncrest

We continue to be thrilled with east campus launch.  Here’s some highlights:

• Week 4 yesterday had 260 people.  We’re getting close to the spot where you would think attendance has experienced the expected decline from the inflated week 1.  In fact, 260 is an increase over last week.  In our projections, we planned that it would land at around 200, so we are thrilled.
• Also Sunday, Doug lead their first “Welcome to Suncrest” experience for newcomers to take their first steps in connecting.  It was hosted at Bosco’s pizza after church and they had as many as they could fit in the room.
• This Sunday, I’m going to teach in person at east campus and experience it for the first time.  Can’t wait!  I’ll even be there for set-up at 6:30am.
• Jenny’s parents and grandparents were in town on Sunday and attended east campus.  Loved it!
• I can’t say enough good about the leadership team there.  They keep working hard and leading well.  Great stuff!

Posted in Suncrest

I’m usually off on Mondays and I love breakfast with the kids. 

Jenny is working today, so I’m flying solo.  Still have to get pajamas changed, shower taken, Jack to pre-school, Abby to Kindermusick and then lunch with the kids before Jenny gets home. 

Posted in Suncrest

I’ve had more than one person advise me that the best way to be a good staff leader is MBWA:  Management by Walking Around.

So, in the last two days, I twice walked down to the student life center on the far end of the building.

The picture above is what I found Friday… Jared (Student Life Pastor) and Chris (East Campus Student Director) playing video games in the youth game room.  Can you say…busted?  Actually it was cool.  These guys were heading out in a couple hours to take middle schoolers on an overnight trip.  You’d want a little down time too leading up to that!

Today (Saturday), I was leaving the building abotu 5:00 and realized someone was still there.  I got closer to the Annex and realized that Nathan (student ministry intern) was rehearsing his sermon for tomorrow.  I didn’t stick around to listen, but I know with full confidence that he’ll do incredible tomorrow teaching the students.

Posted in Suncrest

Feeling like this at the end of another roller coaster week?

Posted in Suncrest

Could you believe the last 2 minutes of Sunday’s loss at Atlanta?  So Frustrating.  I should have expected it.

I have a friend in our Community Group who is much more realistic about the Bears than I am.  And I’m going to follow his lead this week.  The Bears just haven’t given us god reason to think they are anything more than a team that will play close games…and probably lose.

Vikings 17  Bears 16

Posted in Suncrest

Cindy Barker is pretty much the best assistant ever…and she is on vacation for three days at the end of this week.

She has so many gifts that I don’t and a very steady spirit…which is perfect for her role as my assistant.  She takes care of all kinds of things that would clutter my head so I can focus on big picture things.  She anticipates what I need.  She is perfectly reliable.  And it’s more than just an ability to get things done and manage my professional life…I value her insight on things at Suncrest. 

And, I value her friendship and the relationship my family has been able to have with her family.  Her husband is one of my best friends.  Her two kids were in my student ministry here and I got to perform both of their weddings.  She and Gordon are the spiritual mentors to our daughter Abby.  She also just became a grandma (which makes the “Barker Family Picture” above outdated).

Thanks Cindy.

Posted in Suncrest

 In this role, I get a lot of feedback.  I know a lot of pastors feel like they are under the micro-scope negatively, but I’ve been blessed to lead a very encouraging church family.  It really makes a positive difference in my spirit.

 -John Swets sits right behind me in the 8:00 service.  He regularly writes a note on his connection card reminding me of his friendship.

-I got an email yesterday that was short and sweet:  Just a note to say how awesome your teaching was on Sunday. You keep getting better and better.

-Got this email Monday from a staff member…Just sitting here thinking how grateful I am for the opportunity to serve at Suncrest…As I think of all the cool people that I am blessed by, I always come back to you and the fact that you thought I could do this — that coupled with the fact that I just really enjoy you, too, and that wife of yours is the best.   (Some of that might just be flattery, but the part about Jenny is 100% true!)

-Got this email yesterday…I especially love this because it’s not just “good job”, but talks about how she was compelled to do something:  I want to start off by saying that your sermon this past week was great.  I touched my heart and those around me.  The week prior you asked us to find purpose in our lives.  I have felt this on my heart for a while now.  But after hearing you speak, I knew that there was someone who I cared greatly for and was so afraid to have a conversation with about Church and even Christ at times. 

 I post this today because it hit me on the power simple words of encouragement can have in our lives.  And I want to sow that same encouragement to others.  Will you join me in that today?

Posted in Suncrest