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Living Illustrations

Yesterday, I spoke to the student at my home church. Talk about deja vu all over again...man, it was weird thinking that just a few years earlier, I was sitting in the seats listening to the speaker wondering when he would ever finish...:-)

We went to the worship service after the student gathering and I saw one of my big takeaways from Exponential in action: the power of giving people living illustrations.

Instead of having a full-blown sermon, about 6 people shared stories of how God has been at work in their lives. Some shared how they began to trust Jesus with their lives. Some shared about unique provision. One lady shared a powerful lesson of how she learned what it meant to be adopted into God's family by being adopted into her earthly family. Each story pulled you in more and more.

The pastor, who is also my father in-law didn't have to preach anything. All he had to do was say, "This is how God is at work in these people - He's at work in you, too." From there he gave people the opportunity to take steps similar to those taken by the people who shared their stories.

Powerful stuff! As Andy said last week, "Stories do more to communicate the vision of your church than anything else?"

I'm curious...how do you tell stories in your church? Leave a comment and let us know...

Measuring Success

A pastor friend once said to me that every great church planter is, at his core, a competitor. My Gallup StrengthsFinder says that Competition is one of my highest strength themes. Take a stroll through the blogosphere and you'll read all sorts of posts related somehow to "winning."

Being competitive has its upsides...unquenchable drive, little fear of failure, constant innovation, hatred of losing.

But it can also cause us who have it to carry around a warped scorecard to measure our success.

If our calling is to make disciples and transform cities, then we can't only care about how many butts are in seats and how many bills are in the plate. We have to care more about the people we are producing than the numbers we are attracting.

I DID NOT say that we should not care about numbers. We should...we must. But, if we're in the disciplemaking/city transformation business, Sunday numbers are not the only factor and maybe not even the best factor in measuring success.

The most challenging, profitable, mind-stretching conversations I am having these days revolve around the question, "What kind of disciple do we want to produce?" Once we figure that out as best as our feeble minds can understand, then we need to construct a scorecard that will tell us how we're doing in helping people attain those characteristics.

So, I want your voice in the conversation. What is a disciple? What does a disciple do? How do we know if we're actually making disciples?

I'm a Lifer

Everything we do as an organization is geared towards leading people into small groups. We are convinced that life change happens best within the context of intentional, predictable relationships. Since our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and we can't make anyone do that, we have to create environments where it has the best chance to happen. For us, that is a small group.

When small groups are your organizational win, it creates a big question that pastors answer differently. I don't know that there is a "right" way to answer it. But I do know my answer.

First, the question:
"Should the lead pastor and his wife be in a small group just like everyone else?"

Without going into the other possible answers, I will tell you my answer:
"Absolutely!"

If I am going to stand on our stage and preach on why we need authentic community to reach our full potential in Christ, then I better be experiencing it myself. If I am going to stand on our stage and tell stories about how God works in small groups, I better be the subject of some, if not all, of those stories. If I am going to stand on our stage and ask people to do something, then I better be willing to do it myself.

Encouraging people to join a small group, but me not being in one is the equivalent to me encouraging people to tithe while I don't. I don't know how to ask people to do something that I am not willing to do myself.

But now, I have an even better reason. Our group has been meeting together now for about 8 months. I love the couples in our group dearly. When we show up at group, we get to be Jay and Lara Beth, not "the pastor." Some would not like that...I love it! Last night, we had a big breakthrough.

We got real. We talked through some tough stuff. We shared openly what God is doing in our lives and our marriage. Our group listened intently, offered advice, offered encouragement, and prayed for us. And you know what...our vulnerability resulted in greater respect, honor, and support from the other couples in our group. I felt it as we walked out the door last night. And, we received some emails that said that very thing.

Where am I going with this? When it comes to small groups, Lara Beth and I are "lifers." We're in forever and for always. We'll keep getting in groups and multiplying and starting new ones. Our marriage is better for it. My leadership is better for it. Our church is better for it.

Pastors, don't think that being vulnerable means you may lose some of your authority or that people may view you in a lesser light. Any step towards humility and vulnerability is usually a wise choice. I'm not saying it has to be in a small group...some of the most vulnerable pastors I know show it from the stage and on their blogs. And their people love them for it.

CCers and everyone else...oh how I wish you could experience the love and encouragement Lara Beth and I felt last night. I want that for you...for everyone. And I am absolutely convinced that the best place to get it is in a small group of people whom you trust and who love you.

If you experienced community and life change the way our group is, I bet you'd join me in the "lifer" category.

The Commoditization of the Church Experience

I'm going to fumble through this, so bear with me.

Last month, Starbucks founder and chairman Howard Schultz sent a "battle cry" memo to the Starbucks executive staff. The content of the email warned of the "commoditization of the Starbucks experience." Schultz explained with great transparency and humility how several decisions along the way have led to a loss of some of the key aspects of the Starbucks experience.

For instance, by choosing to replace the manual espresso machines of yester-year with automated espresso machines, the "theatre" of a barista manually preparing your drink with skill and artisanship has been negated. Or, by choosing to use FlavorLock packaging as a means of keeping roasted coffee beans fresh, the aroma of fresh ground coffee has been virtuallly negated - it's trapped inside a machine.

The positive value of these decisions and many others is that each Starbucks location can maximize productivity, efficiency, and consistency. A latte at one Starbucks will likely taste identical to a latte at any other Starbucks. And, larger volumes of people can receive their drink in shorter time frames due to the automation and efficiency of the equipment used.

The negative is that Starbucks has to deal with some very diffficult questions: have we diluted the experience in the name of efficiency and volume? Is everything so automated that nothing feels personal? Is everything so programmed that nothing feels organic?

I have to admit, I fear the same could easily be true of our church and others like ours. Are we so focused on efficiency that we dilute the authentic experience of messy people engaging in a messy journey. The journey to Jesus and into relationship with Him is like a fingerprint - everyone's is different. Are we so pre-programmed that some of that experience is lost?

As a Strategic Partner with North Point, we adopt many of the strategies that have been proven to work at North Point. Believe me, we do this because we believe in it and we believe it is the way God has called us to structure Catalyst. But in doing so, we run the risk of being so focused on the strategy that we forget about the people who participate in and pull off the strategies. Maybe some of what worked in Alpharetta doesn't work in Greenville. We have to be willing to figure that out when it happens. And figure it out in a way that makes us better at connecting with the people God has called us to reach.

I'm re-reading McManus' masterpiece, An Unstoppable Force. It was one of the first books I read after I told God I would obey if He called me to start a church (I'm sure He was relieved :-)). It's a perfect time for me to read it again because it has reminded me of so much that gets lost in "doing church." I am all for structure and organization. I am all for good leadership principles being applied to make the local church better. I am all for us figuring out how best to steward resources wisely and accomplish our mission at the same time. But at the end of the day, the local church is not an organization - it is a movement. It is the body of Christ. And Catalyst is a part of the universal body of Christ. Inherent within the local church is an organic nature. And the leadership challenge I face is leading Catalyst in such a way that the organic nature is protected, celebrated, and given freedom, while also having a laser focus on the mission God has given us.

This is a real learning season for me. It's a learning season for our church. We have such a great strategy - I really do love it. We have so many great people - I really do love them. God dropped us in a wonderful city - I love Greenville. My prayer as we go through this season of making some changes to how we do things, as I make changes in how I do things, and as we prepare for next steps, that God would protect us from commoditization. That an experience with a Catalyst environment or attender would be authentic and exciting. That the strategies we enact would be productive, yet personal. That we would be a movement of the Spirit, not a monument of automated strategy.

Environment for Newcomers

Does anyone know of a portable church that's knocking it out of the park on an environment for newcomers (hear about the vision/mission/strategy of the church and have their questions answered)?

If so, would you please email me with the church's website and any info you have on how often they do the environment, when it is, where it is, and any key elements?

If you are a part of a church that is getting it done with this kind of environment, email me and let's talk!

Gracias!

Keep It Simple Stupid

"Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity."
Charles Mingus, taken from Leadership Wired, a weekly e-newsletter from Injoy

Isn't that so true? For some reason, we are bent towards making things complex. We have a propensity for it. And oftentimes, we do it in the name of creativity, remarkability, and/or innovation. We add programming, add elements to a worship service, add meetings and events to our calendars. Most of the time, all we do is create more sideways energy which in a word is...off-mission.

What refreshing perspective that true creativity is making the complicated "awesomely simple." I love it! When you aim for simplicity, you quickly learn two things:

1. Simplicity doesn't come easily.
You have to fight for it. You have to battle your own propensity to complicate. You have to filter out old paradigms of thinking. And, you have to somehow convince people that simplicity is best. I think the only way that happens is by showing them, not telling them. We're in the middle of this right now. I want simplicity to be in the DNA of Catalyst Church.

2. You never stop fighting for it.
Beware of the "we've arrived" feeling. I am continually amazed at how much the team at North Point still has to fight for simplicity. To me, they are the kings of simplicity, yet every week, there is another opportunity to complicate that must be weeded out. When you aim for simplicity, you better be in for the long haul.

Maybe the whole "simple church" idea is another test of our trust in the Sovereignty of God. If you really believe God has shown you that a "contemporary" service is the way to reach your community, then why would you still do a "traditional" service? If God has shown you that there is a better way to connect people into community, then why would you keep doing what hasn't worked in years? I know how I answer that question...fear. Fear of losing people. Fear of not doing enough.

God says, "Trust me. I'm building the church. Do exactly what I tell you to do...nothing more, nothing less...and leave the consequences to me." And in doing so, I believe He leads us to make the complicated "awesomely simple."

We're going to talk about this as part of our new series, Everybody. Andy talked about it at drive. Thom Rainer wrote a book about it.

What do you say we start a revolution...the Simple Revolution. Here's our battle cry...
"It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God." Acts 15:19

No Excuses

Just read a report on a study done by Ed Stetzer, author and missiologist. Two big numbers jump out at me:

"42% of those who said they were not born again would come to a Christian worship service during the Christmas season if invited."

"42% of those who are not born again were very or somewhat likely to make a New Year's resolution to attend religious services more frequently in 2007."

How much more evidence do we need to know that by investing in relationships with non-Christians and inviting them to an appropriate environment, we are participating in the Great Commission? This study says that 2 out of 5 people who say they are not Christians would attend a Christmas service at a Christian church IF they were invited.

So...what are you waiting on? Do it! Invite them! What are they going to do...say, "no"...maybe. But, what if they think about it and say, "Okay. I'll do it." You won't know unless you ask.

And who knows, you may be able to lay your head on your pillow Christmas Eve knowing that you had a part in God totally re-directing someone's life...and YOU invited them into the environment where it happened!

CC'ers...we set up the theatre for Christmas Eve yesterday and I got REALLY pumped for Sunday. I've been listening all week to the music we're going to use Sunday...everytime, I get more pumped for Sunday. Here's what I know...people WILL cross the line of faith Sunday at Catalyst. The question is...who will it be?

Your friend? Your dad? Your sister? Your boss? Your business partner? Your dentist? Your neighbor? Your spouse?

You won't know unless you invite them in...there are no excuses! Go ahead, do it now!

More Traffic

January will be a big month at Catalyst Church. We're going to put on our big boy pants, crawl out of the sandbox, and start having church every Sunday. No more trying to remember if it's the first or third Sunday or the second or fourth. Come January, if your calendar says it's Sunday, we're having church!

And all the CC'ers rejoiced and were glad. :-)

We made another decision that will take effect in January that could have as big an impact as moving to every week. Since we started our second Sunday morning service in October, our service times have been 9:00 am and 11:00 am. At first, we needed nearly every minute of the hour in between services to re-load, make changes, transition volunteers, and be ready for the second service. Because God has brought so many incredible people to CC, the time needed has been cut down to about 15 minutes, tops.

Because our people are so good, we created what should be avoided like the plague on Sunday mornings...dead time. There's a little 10-15 minute window when there's not much happening in the lobby of the theatre. Everyone who attended the first service is pretty much gone and all of our volunteers are in place ready for the 11:00 crowd. Someone said, "Wouldn't it be cool if people coming out of the first service were bumping into people coming in for the second service?" Novel idea. I call it...buzz.

So, in order to eliminate that nasty little window of dead time and to increase the buzz factor in-between services, we changed our first service time to 9:30. The second service will remain at 11:00.

And the CC production & set-up team rejoiced - 30 more minutes of sleep and we might see the sun a little when we get to church!

We'll see how it goes. There's a lot of me that's nervous about only having 30 minutes in between services. But, our key volunteers and staff all say it will work, so I am choosing to trust.

The one thing I want to see come January 7 is someone walk out of the 9:30 service and say to someone coming in to the 11:00 service, "Oh man, you're not going to believe this!" Can't wait!

No Perfect Churches

As 2006 winds down and we look ahead to 2007, we're doing some hardcore evaluating of environments at Catalyst. It can be a discouraging process because I see all the cracks and blemishes. It's exciting, though, because I know God is refining me, our team, and our environments.

I was really encouraged by Seth's post today. Here is an excerpt:

"If you read enough stories, it's easy to believe that Starbucks and Apple and the rest of the all-star list somehow manage to effortlessly create remarkable products and happy customers.

One thread that has become clear to me from reading my email is that there are no perfect companies, no ideal places to work, no marketers who always manage to please their customers.

The danger in celebrity worship is that it can persuade you not to bother trying. After all, the thinking goes, our organization is so thoroughly screwed up that we've never got a chance to be like them, so why bother? In fact, organizations like Apple struggled for years, and continue to struggle..."

And there are no perfect churches either. My heart is not for Catalyst to be a perfect church. I want it to be a healthy church. An effective church. An influential church. A contagious church. A missional church. I'm learning that it's easy for me to replace those adjectives with perfect, most of the time unknowingly. Anytime I say, "We're not as ________ as ________ Church," I have replaced the right adjective with the wrong adjective.

Thanks, Seth, for reminding me that there are no perfect coffee shops, computers, or churches.

Find Your Niche

If I had to put together a list of books that any church planter should read before launch, Purple Cow by Seth Godin would definitely be on the list.  For that matter, if you're going to launch or lead anything, you need to read the book.  It's that good.

One of Godin's key points is that traditional marketing is dead.  Traditional marketing says, "Create an ordinary product and combine it with extraordinary marketing."  The reason it's dead is that people are so bombarded with messages and markets are so saturated that ordinary doesn't get attention and therefore, doesn't get market share.

Purple Cow says, "Pour your money, time, and energy into creating a remarkable product and trust people to talk about it."  People naturally talk about whatever is remarkable.

Nowhere is this more true than in church world.  In Greenville County, like a lot of other counties in the South, there seems to be a church on every corner.  How then does a new church get people's attention?

Godin contends that it is a mistake to try to market to everybody.  In church world, that means it's a mistake to try to be all things to all people.  Why?  When you try to be remarkable to everybody, you're remarkable to no one.  Hence the rise and fall of "blended" worship...whatever that means.  Or, a "contemporary" service and a "traditional" service, whatever they mean, at the same church.

The trick to being remarkable is finding your niche.  It's hard work, but it can pay off big time.  Figure out who you are uniquely designed and equipped to reach and you have answered a ton of other questions.  Finding your niche determines which area of family ministry gets the most resource, what style of music you play, what kind of graphics you use, what environments you do and don't do, where you locate, etc.

We started drilling down deeper on this question in our all-staff meeting on Monday.  We had already sliced the market thin, but now we're slicing it even thinner.  The smaller the niche, the better the chance at being remarkable.  We have some work to do to be remarkable and finding the smallest possible niche is the first step.

What's your niche?  Take a look at your community and figure out the wide-range of who's there.  Start slicing it thin until you can't slice it any thinner.  Then, go after that niche with everything you have and watch what God does!