Two Sundays ago, NorthWood Church had one of the most powerful worship times I can remember. We had Pastors from around the Globe who are leading incredible Churches. If I listed their names, you would not recognize them, but some of the pastors lead churches/movements of 100,000 and 200,000.

As we planned worship, we wanted it to be very global feeling, but also unique to who we were. We landed on singing the Revelation Song in multiple languages. It was powerful. It gave our church a small picture of what every tongue, tribe, and nation will be like around the throne.

The best part is that we have that much talent that can sing in multiple languages!

This is a story from a guy at NorthWood.  God really used the song “How He Loves” in his life.  Here is his incredible story of receiving and giving forgiveness.

Forgiveness from Northwood Church on Vimeo.

This past weekend we used it as an intro and then we played the song. It was a huge blessing to our congregation. It is also a great example of team work. Great job Jordan and Chris.

A few weeks ago I downloaded a new pinball app for my iPhone.   As I started playing, here is what happened…

• Hit the pinball as hard as I could when it came to near the flappers and happened to luck into a really high score.
• After getting a low score the next go, I realized that hitting certain spots in a certain sequence increased your score dramatically.
• Started trying to strategically hit the pinball in the exact right spots to obtain the high score.
• Failed miserably. I realized that I was no pinball wizard.
• I quit playing pinball.

I can’t tell you how many times I have experienced this exact same sequence with new ministries, ventures, or projects.  I luck into a little success, only to realize it was just a buzz of excitement, realize it is going to be hard, identify the strategy to success, realize executing the strategy is difficult, and I am tempted to quit.

As a believer, i must remember that Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Job, Paul, and Jesus did not quit.  Jesus was the center of a large buzz of excitement at the start of his ministry.  He was alone on the cross at the end of it.

If God has called you to do something.  Don’t quit.  Beg for grace to keep going.

Working with Bob Roberts means that you get nuggets of wisdom all the time.

A few years back I remember him saying, “Most people spend all their time and energy trying to find a way to get to the table of influence and power.  Don’t worry about the table.  Sweep the streets and do it with excellence. You will eventually be asked to come to the table.”

Bob’s advice has been true in my life.  It turns out, it is also biblical.

Luke 19:17 -  And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’

It is can be difficult while you are sweeping the streets to not get distracted with all those around you are moving up to the table. Keep sweeping.  Our Father, the the most influential person at the table, is looking down to and is eager to reward faithful workers in his kingdom.

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Yesterday was an incredible day at NorthWood. We have been implementing what we are calling the “Time of Obedience” for the last two months.  It finally feels like we are getting close to the sweet spot.

The Time of Obedience is where at the end of the service, we are giving time and space to let people respond to what God has been speaking to them.  We have Alter ministers positioned in 4 places around the room to lead someone to Christ and pray for them, we open the altar for people to  come pray by themselves or as a family, we have cards for people to sit and write what God has been doing in their lives, we sing, and yesterday we took communion. It is controlled chaos, but our people are responding to God, and I could not be happier!

If you go to NorthWood, What do you think of the changes?

One of the best books  I read in 2008 was Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us, by Seth Godin.  Quite frankly, it was 1 of 3 books that created the perfect storm that helped me gear up to release  EXAMEN.me.

If you haven’t read the book, or don’t intend to, make sure you check out this video, a 20 minute TED talk summarizing the book..

Brilliant!!!

Your Church, your ministry is a tribe.  They need you to lead them.

A few weeks ago we did Cardboard testimonies at NorthWood.  The impact was massive for the congregation and those who gave their testimonies on cardboard.

God is Good!
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony… Rev 12:11

There is a HUGE difference between professionals and amateurs. Experiences over the last couple of weeks have reminded me of at least two.

• Professionals know how to recover. We all drop the ball, but the pro knows how to pick it up with grace and keep running.  An amateur looks like a deer caught in head lights.  Consequently, experience does matter.
• Professionals own the problem. No matter who is at fault when a professional sees a problem, they own it until it is solved.  An amateur say’s, “It is not my job to fix it.” and sweeps it under the rug.

Bottom line: Christ deserves our best.

The world is full of great ideas,  but great ideas don’t change the world.  Executing a great idea does.

I consider myself a “Creative Type.” In the past I have thought my perfect job would be to sit in a room and come up with creative solutions to problems.  That is what most creatives want to do.  However, sitting in an room and coming up with ideas is not being a Creative.  It is being a day dreamer.

If you want to be Creative rockstar – Get alone with God, listen to him.  What has he called you to do? Do it with excellence.

Creative genius is not about having the best ideas, it is about having the guts to follow Christ.

Ministry is built on volunteer leaders.  Chances are, if you lost one of your major volunteers, life would be hectic for a while.  Mike Reed, our Executive Pastor, just gave the NorthWood staff some wisdom I needed to hear.  I am sure you need to hear it as well.

Treat your current leaders like they are going to be a vital part of your ministry forever.

Recruit new leaders like your current leaders are going to be gone tomorrow.