Thursday Random Thoughts and Learnings

Thursday Random Thoughts and Learnings

• I learned from Nathan Anderson that we can build a social network within a social network that can connect the people of Charter Oak Church in a more significant way.
• I can’t believe it was 17 years ago that I graduated with a degree in computers.
• We have a vimeo account for Charter Oak Church and we have posted our congregational gatherings where I shared about our strategic plan and structure. You can watch it http://www.vimeo.com/charteroakchurch
• It takes 18 weeks to train for a marathon. I’m just sayin!
• Tuesday I had a meeting at 7:00a.m. with Tom Beagan. We walked out of the office together at 9:45p.m. together. It was an awesome day. I love my job and I love the people I am privileged to serve on this staff!
• I had lunch on Monday with the Chair of our Church Council, Stan Hunt. He is a man of God. He’s encouraging. He asks the right questions. He loves his wife. Most of all, he love Jesus. I believe discipleship is about walking with people who are ahead of you in the journey to become more like Jesus. I am blessed to walk with Stan and the other members of our Church Council.
• Duke men’s basketball team is #1 again. I’m just sayin’.
• I hope the NFL learns from the mistakes of the professional sports from the past.
• I am on stay-cation next week; vacation while staying at home. Sleeping in, lots of reading, long walks with Kelli, and lunch out every day. I can’t wait!!

God's Plan - My Role

In January I shared God's vision for the people of Charter Oak Church for 2011 and beyond. The following two weeks we had congregational meetings called God's Plan - My Role to share the outworking of that vision through our new strategic plan. We video tapped one of those gatherings. If you would like to watch it, it is broken up into different sections depending upon what you are interested in learning. Click HERE for the video.

If you are interested in reading the executive summary of the strategic plan click HERE. At the end of the plan is a list of places you can use to discern your role in God's plan.

10 Things that Cause Stress in a Leader

Just read this from Perry Noble...

10 Things That Cause Stress In A Leader

Actually…I am not sure if these cause stress in every leader…but I know these are the 10 most common things that cause stress in me…

#1 – I actually believe the church is MY church and not HIS church…and that I am in control rather than HIM! (See Matthew 16:18)

#2 – I do not trust the people who I delegate authority and responsibility to and actually begin to believe the lie that, “if I want something done right then I must do it myself.”

#3 – When I know without a doubt what God has spoken to me to do…but I begin to listen to the “experts” who tell me that the very thing God has called me to do is an impossibility.

#4 – When I try to explain myself to those who don’t really want an explanation…they just want to argue.

#5 – When I refuse to take some time to disconnect and rest, claiming that the devil never takes a day off while not understanding that the devil isn’t supposed to be my example.

#6 – When I begin to take on the “Messiah complex” and begin to think about how much the church needs me rather than how much I actually NEED CHRIST!

#7 – When I worry about results more than obedience!!!

#8 – When I focus on the size of the problem rather than the size of God!

#9 – When I fail to share my worries and concerns and admit my mistakes to others for fear that it may make me seem weak and stupid. (When…the opposite is the case, those around me actually love and respect me more when I ask for help!)

#10 – When I become unaware of HIS presence every single minute of my life!