The Problem of Knowledge

In listening to Made to Stick, one of the things the authors discuss is the "problem of knowledge."  What they mean is that whoever is presenting information often times takes for granted what the audience may or may not know.  The speaker/teacher/leader may speak in terms that are "shorthand" for him, but are confusing to others.  The authors believe that we all experience this when someone from another "field" is speaking to us.  I know this happens in churches.  It's the danger of too much studying at times.  I find myself doing this as I prepare for a teaching/class.  This book has been a good reminder for me to make sure I am not letting knowledge get in the way of learning. 

Who's with me? My trivial rant.

Is it just me or are automatic paper towel dispensers a bit over-rated?  Feeling like you have to do some sort of ancient, tribal dance in order to get the thing to just produce the desired towel.  Half the time my hands are dry by the time the stupid thing works.  Not to mention when the planets do align just right, and the long anticipated paper product emerges from its slumber, it comes out in the tiniest of portions.  Fine if you're a hobbit, but usually only enough to dry like 3 fingers.  Just let me pull the towel out by hand.  I can do it.  I don't mind, really. 

Thus completes my rant against automatic paper towel dispenses.  Feel free to post any of your own trivial frustrations.  It'll be therapeutic.  I know I feel better.

What BLUEPRINTS teach us

So if starting a new job wasn't enough, we've also decided to add a little more square footage to our abode.  Lest you should think it excessive, we are simply making our 2/1 a 3/2.  Anyway, that's not the point of this post, but does give you some context.

I have been fascinated sitting down with our architect and seeing him design our new space.  What is most striking is how he has both sides of the brain working.  There is the highly creative, aesthetically driven, artistic side.  However, there is also the engineering, calculated, methodical side.  Both are needed.  A good looking design with no engineering does little for anyone.  However, a well constructed though poorly designed layout/design misses the mark as well. 

I am additionally struck with the immense detail that goes into the blueprints.  We just received ours the other day, and for a relatively "simple" project, they are incredibly complex.  There are instructions that make no sense to me.  There are beautiful drawing alongside of seemingly innocuous details.  Everything is thought through.  Nothing is overlooked.  Llike I said, both sides of the brain going on here.

So why is this so interesting?  Assuming you're still reading.  Over the next year I will be developing and "architecting" plans for our new church plant.  I think churches have a tendency to make things overly complicated, but not because we are showing everyone the "blueprints" but because we have no blueprint.  Think of all the detail it will take to construct our small addition, yet it will be "simple" when it's completed.  You will know how to navigate it (assuming you come over for a visit, and we let you in our bedroom).  You will easily recognize the key things.  Where we sleep.  Where we keep our clothes.  Where we bathe.  Where I read (I'm not talking about the office here).  Page after page of blueprint detail leads to something beautiful, useful and simple.  This is what I want from our church.  I want it to be incredibly well designed behind the scenes.  I want both sides of the brain to influence everything we do.  Yet, everything we do nees to be accessible and intuitive.  It needs to make sense.  There needs to be a plan in place about how we are going to impact our community.  How people will get discipled.  How we will create culture. 

So the next 12 months should be interesting as I (with the help of many voices) try to architect this church plant.  Kind of a daunting task, but certainly exciting.  I am hoping this blog will give you a chance to sit down with me at the proverbial drawing table. 

Peace. 

Mother's Day & Triathlon

A quick shout out to Heather...

First and foremost she is a great mom to Sydnie and Mackinley!  I had the girls for about 5 hours on Saturday and I had a whole new appreciation for what she does everyday!  Thanks Heather!

Furthermore, she participated in the Danskin Triathlon at Disney on Mother's Day!  I won't give you all the details (as not to embarass her), but she did quite well...let's just say there were about 1000 people who weren't as fast as her!  Nice job. 

The Journey Continues

Well the journey is taking us to some new places...after 7 years of student ministry at Orangewood, I am being called out to the next stop along the way.  I shared this news with our high school students last night and it was a bit surreal to say the least.  However, I do have a peace that this is God's plan for my family and me. 

In case you're wondering, here's what the next part of the journey will be about...over the past couple years I have felt God's call to church planting.  God has made it clear that His timing is now.  I finish with RTS in a couple of weeks.  I will continue working with the student ministry until the end of June (most likely) in order to assist with the transition.  August will more than likely bring the start of a 12 month church planting apprenticeship at CrossPointe Church here in Orlando.  This is not a "done deal" yet, but it is moving in that direction.  The leadership at this church have put together this program to assist future church planters in this risky endeavor.  CrossPointe has already helped plant several churches throughout the area and I believe I have a lot to learn from them.

I am extremely grateful for my time at Orangewood and the leadership continues to be very supportive of my family and me and the plans we are making.  They see it as kingdom work.  Too many pastors leave churches because of all sorts of "messy" situations--I am thankful that I get to leave because of a calling God has placed on my life. 

Though we certainly have a ton of questions and unknowns, this has been and will continue to be, a time of faith growth for Heather and I.  This is new territory.  Many times we are scared of what the future may bring--will we be living in a van down by the river this time next year?  You know, random thoughts like that.  Yet we are learning to trust in Jesus in new and profound ways. 

Well I should probably wrap this up.  More info/details to follow.  I will say this...it feels good to be able to "talk" about this more openly now.  As surrreal (my word of the day) as this all is, I have beeen looking forward to being able to share/talk/blog about this openly.  If for no other reason than we need people on this journey.   So with that in mind, we would certainly covet your prayers.

Peace. 

Just Get On

Starbucks & Loyalty

I’m almost through reading The Gospel According to Starbucks.  It’s not a great book, but it’s had some helpful observations.  I came across one yesterday...

According to Starbucks, “The best way to build a brand is one person at a time.” Though it could be argued this rings of some cliche’-ness, it is nonetheless true.  Apparently Starbucks intentionally spends more money on training staff than on advertising.  Because of this their turnover rate is unbelievably low. 

As a church leader, I need to pay attention to this.  It’s easy to get caught up in the hype and “marketing” of your events, programs, etc.  However, if the leaders are not being invested in then I’m missing the point.  I wonder if churches have high turnover rates (especially amongst volunteer leadership) because the vocational leaders don’t invest enough.  Are we too concerned with the “brand” and not enough with the people? 

Mackinley & Sydnie Swim Lessons