9 QUOTES I KEEP THINKING ABOUT

1 “WHAT I’M A PART OF IS BIGGER THAN THE ROLE I PLAY”
- Brian C Houston #HEARTFORTHEHOUSE
I remember hearing a friend say “I can’t get big off of their coat tails. I’m trying to get big on my own.”
Which still stands as one of the worst phrases. Ever.
The reality is we’re all in this together.
Thankfully, Gods grace has allowed you to stand tall on the shoulders of those who’ve gone before you.

2 “DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO GIVE”
- Robert Morris #THEBLESSEDLIFE
Generosity is a gift to some and a decision for others.
Regardless, it’s an addiction to all who understand the WHY behind it.
The Kingdom of God is all about giving.

3 “THE LEADER WHO ALWAYS OFFERS ADVICE IS DESPISED IN THE END”
- Judah Smith #Staffmeeting
Contrary to popular belief, sharing your opinion all the time is not cool.
I find it interesting that the leaders I respect the most are all “slow to speak”.
You kind of have to PULL their opinion out of them.
I really wanna be like that.

4 “DON’T PUT THINGS AT ODDS THAT DON’T NEED TO BE PUT AT ODDS”
-Carl Lentz #CARLDOMINATESALLQ&A’S
For example… Who said family and ministry have to compete?
A lot of life can compliment instead of compete if you look at it correctly.

5 “INTEGRITY OF HEART, SKILLFULNESS OF HANDS”
-David #psalm72
2 things we should all desire INTEGRITY (hello!) and SKILLS.
MAD SKILLS.
Don’t just settle for 1.
Get both

6 “AIN’T NOBODY MESSING WITH MY CLIQUE”
- Kanye #BREAKFASTATGUCCI
God’s into cliques. He had 12.
They were called “tribes”.
I think highly of loyal people.
Ride or die.

7 “DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING”
- Dad #conversation
My dad has a unique way of saying things that stick.
Recently, he told me “You did the right thing… and when the time comes, you’ll do the next right thing.”
Reality is, that’s all any of us can do.
The next right thing.

8 “THERE’S A KING IN EVERY CROWD”
- Russell Wilson #INTERVIEW
No matter the size of the crowd, BIG or SMALL… I’m always thinking about that.

9 “IF WE DON’T CELEBRATE OURSELVES, WE’LL ONLY TOLERATE OTHERS”
- Gregg Johnson #conversation
The more I love myself… the more I can love others (that’s biblical).
When you celebrate who you are you are FREE to celebrate who others are.
There’s no jealousy for the person who’s convinced they’ve got it good.
Trust me, you’ve got it good!!!!! You’ve been #FEARFULLY and #WONDERFULLY made by God himself.

Love to all…
-cv

3 THINGS I WANNA SAY AS WE LEAVE PUYALLUP, UG and THE 253

Today I’m preparing to preach my last sermon at PUYALLUP FOURSQUARE…
A pretty surreal feeling after 9 years.

As a chapter in our life comes to an end… a new one begins. Here are some thoughts about how thankful we are for the PAST, and how excited we are for the FUTURE.

1 TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Perhaps I’ll get a “UG forever” tat one day. Kidding.

FOR REAL THOUGH… Puyallup will always hold a special place in my heart. I moved to Puyallup in March 2004 to start a high school ministry. 9 years later, I’m leaving a changed man. I’ve learned so much here. Gained so many close friends here. Puyallup has been, thus far, the greatest experience of my life…

So leaving our church, leaders, interns and friends is no easy task. But when God speaks - you RESPOND. And when it’s time - you KNOW.

Julia and I had been sensing a transition for quite some time.

Thankfully, our pastor approached us this past June, and asked us if we had been feeling this kind of change. It meant a lot to us that he had also heard from the Lord and that we were all on the same page.

This fall we came to the decision that a move to the CITY CHURCH was THE BEST for our family!
Needless to say we are thrilled to be joining some of our closest friends… Pastors Judah and Chelsea Smith.

2 THE WAY YOU EXIT IS THE WAY YOU ENTER
I can honestly say that we are EXITING well. We’re leaving the way I always hoped we’d leave.

It’s always worth it to DO IT RIGHT.

There’s a beautiful tension we have been facing each day as we approach our last service. The tension between THE SADNESS OF LEAVING and THE THRILL OF WHAT’S NEXT.
It’s a bizarre feeling that I’ve only felt one other time (when I moved from LA to Puyallup).

On both sides, we feel blessed. We feel like the luckiest people in the world. From where we’ve BEEN and where we’re GOING.

This really is an EPHESIANS 3:20 experience.. better than anything we could “Ask, imagine or think”

3 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS..

-What will your role be at city church?
To be a blessing in anyway possible. Golf coach. Fashion consultant. Freestyle rapper.

-What’s the timeline look like?
Our last weekend at PUYALLUP FOURSQUARE is this weekend January 5/6 (We have been announcing our transition here in Puyallup since Nov 15th) and our first weekend at THE CITY CHURCH will be Jan 12/13.

-Are you moving?
Yes!!!

-Who’s taking your place?
Pastors Shannon and Liz Kapp (former young adult pastors and intern directors of Puyallup Foursquare.. before my day) have moved back from California and are assuming the position of Foursquare United Generation Pastors.

-What kind of cologne do you wear?
Wouldn’t you like to know…

-Who do you think is going to win the NBA CHAMPIONSHIP?
My reply to that is, ‘Why do you ask questions that you already know the answer to???’
#LAKERS

In conclusion, I’d like to thank our pastors Roger and Tina Archer for nine years of being THE BEST. For years, they have let us stand tall on their shoulders. We are forever grateful…
I’d also like to thank MY PEOPLE. You know who you are…
Man did we have fun. Thank you for always going HARD IN THE PAINT.
Thank you for always believing with us for the craziest of things.
And thank you for being the most incredible group of people to do life with.

WE WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGIA

Today, we celebrate Georgia’s first birthday!
December 2nd will forever be a special day to me. This was the day Georgia Estelle was born. The day I became a dad.

As many of you know, on April 10th, at just 4 months old, Georgia was diagnosed with a rare brain condition called “Lissencephaly” (also known as “smooth brain”).

These past 7 months have been filled with many emotions. Through it all, we have found God to be gracious, good and faithful.

Many of you have stood by us through this difficult time and we are forever grateful to you for your prayers and compassion.

I thought that today… a day of celebration, would be a good day to update you on how GEORGIA ESTELLE is doing. So here are 5 reasons to celebrate!

1 GEORGIA’S THE BEST
I like to think that people love Georgia… simply because people
love Georgia. NOT because of who her mom is or who her grandparents are.
But because she’s Georgia.
Georgia is beautiful (she takes after her mother…)
Everywhere we go, people love Georgia. I think that’s the grace that’s on her life.

2 SHE’S GROWING
We are so thankful that Georgia continues to do well.
She’s growing. she’s happy. She’s fun.
Praise God for a “good stretch”… we haven’t been in a traumatic situation with Georgia since August.

3 WHAT GEORGIA LOVES
Georgia loves to be tickled.
She loves music.
She loves riding in the car.
She loves bath time.
She loves to kick.
She loves the sound of her mom and dads voice.
And she loves that the Sonics are coming back to Seattle.

4 WAYS YOU CAN #PRAYFORGEORGIA
1 A MIRACLE. We are believing for total and complete healing!
2 SEIZURES. Will stop
3 DEVELOPMENT. Georgia is still unable to do things like sit up, roll over, crawl, hold or track with objects. Please pray for her core and back strength
4 JULIA. Even the strongest woman needs God’s strength.
5 OUR FAMILY. Thank you for continuing to lift up our family in prayer.

5 THE BEST IS YET TO COME
We have made the decision to live and love life. We know nothing else.
Despite the report, we’re just gonna keep moving forward.
It seems like it’s the right thing to do because it’s really the only thing to do.
And Georgia would have it no other way. That’s what she’s doing life herself…

On behalf of Julia and I, thank you for your kindness and continued prayers.
We love you…

-cv

MINISTRY: 16 THINGS THAT MATTER… and 1 THAT REALLY MATTERS

1 HOSPITALITY SPEAKS LOUD
Experience trumps everything.

Paul told Timothy, “In order for someone to be a leader, they must be able to HOST WELL”

2 ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
A bad attitude is worse than bad breath.

#truth

3 PROTECT YOUR NAME
Your name is going to either OPEN doors for you… or CLOSE doors for you.

4 DO WHAT’S GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL
Forgive people, it’s good for your soul. Sleep more, it’s good for your soul.

Laugh with your friends, it’s good for your soul. Hang around people that are positive, It’s good for your soul.

-You minister most out of WHO YOU ARE. Therefore, take care of your soul.

5 YOU’LL LEARN MORE DOING DEVOTIONS THAN FROM ANY SERMON OR PODCAST
Nothing expedites the voice of God more than reading Gods word.

AND the greatest way to get to know Jesus is through reading the Bible.

6 WHAT YOU DO IN PRIVATE, GOD WILL REWARD IN PUBLIC
God is not only watching what we do in private, He’s rewarding it.

I’d rather have Him REWARD what I do in private than EXPOSE what I do in private.

7 SKETCHY IS SKETCHY
YO, why you sketchy for?????

Don’t be sketchy.

8 BREAK THROUGH YOUR QUITTING POINTS
All of us are emotional, God made us to be emotional.

I’m not concerned if you feel like quitting… I’m concerned if that’s really an option.

“If you don’t quit, you win”

9 ENERGY MANAGEMENT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TIME MANAGEMENT
The most important thing you do as a leader is bring ENERGY to the table.

Time management is overrated.

10 SMILE WHILE YOU PREACH
God gave you a smile, use it.

Save the serious model pose for instagram k.

11 GIVE FULL ON COMPLIMENTS
Nothing worse than someone who can’t give a whole hearted, full on, genuine, authentic compliment.

People that give back handed compliments deserve to be back handed.
(It might slap the insecurity out of em)

12 SIT UP STRAIGHT, LOOK PEOPLE IN THE EYES
If you keep looking at the ground, I’m going to keep thinking you have something to hide.

It’s so important that you live your life with a clean conscience.. that will enable you to look people in the eyes.

13 CLEAN OUT YOUR CAR, YOUR ROOM, YOUR MIND AND YOUR PHONE (HELLO!!!!)
#getatme #what #thisiselementary

“Anytime Israel lost their passion for righteousness, they always wound up in BONDAGE” - @williegeorge

14 DON’T GET MAD AT AFFINITY, YOU HAVE AFFINITY
People used to say “Your youth group is just a bunch of CLICKS”

I always saw that as a compliment.

I’m into tribes. God’s into tribes… He had 12 of them.

15 NEVER GO AGAINST A BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE
Don’t do it.

Go against gaining weight, close talkers or people that retweet their compliments.

But never go against a biblical principle.

16 THE WORST LEADER IS… THE OPPORTUNISTIC LEADER
The leader that is always looking for a better opportunity… or the ideal situation.

The truth is, in this kingdom you must be willing to RISK IT ALL.

There’s NO REWARD if there’s NO RISK.

(Here’s the 1 that really matters in Ministry)

1 JESUS
Ministry is all about JESUS. Life is all about JESUS.

Even if you miss all 16 of those things listed above… and you

get this one right… YOU WILL DO WELL!

“If we make much of JESUS, He will make much of us”

LOVE YOU!!!!!!

I wanna be great.. Like TIM TEBOW great.

I have fully jumped on the Tim Tebow bandwagon.
How could you not??

It’s wild, it’s fun.
You never know what’s going to happen, and yet you know EXACTLY what’s going to happen.

Tebow might be the most polarizing figure in the history of Sports. He has more haters than Kris Humphries or David Stern (that’s a lot of haters).

Haters hate on him for a number of different reasons.. but mainly for his outspoken faith and unorthodox style of play.

However, REGARDLESS of what the haters are saying, one thing is for sure… the world has recognized Tim Tebow as a phenomenal LEADER.

It’s impossible for great leadership to go unnoticed.

I saw Christine Caine post this week, “Fruit will tell on you”. Isn’t that the truth.

With a 7-1 record as a starter, a current 6 game winning streak.. #TEBOWING is now an official word. I would say that his “fruit” is telling on him.

Here’s what makes Tim Tebow such a great leader…

1. He’s SECURE.
Confidence in yourself allows you to praise the people around you.

Tebow has an absurd amount of security.
He’s secure enough to post verses under his black eyes.

He’s secure enough to be bold about his faith.
He’s secure enough to accept criticism (heaps of it).
He’s secure enough to admit his mistakes.

As a follower, I will tell you that I am most attracted to secure leaders. And like you, I find it difficult to follow a leader that is plagued by insecurity.

Security allows you to do two important things..

1. Promote others.
Pumping, promoting, and honoring others is actually really fun. You should try it.

An insecure leader is threatened by the success and praises of others.. Internally their heart says,
“No head shall be higher than mine”

Not Tebow. Tebow is always making the win about his teammates. Never promoting himself, always promoting others.

2. Accept criticism.
“I am whatever you say I am, if I wasn’t, then why would you say I am…” - Eminem
TRUTH!!!!!!

An insecure person is incredibly defensive. In addition, they don’t want to hear what the Haters have to say. However, someone who is secure, bends their ear towards criticism. It doesn’t threaten them. Because internally, they know, that to some degree… the Haters are right.

Tebow is a master at this. He knows what people are saying. He hears it. He accepts it. And he probably tries to IMPROVE on the weak areas that people point out.

I pray that we can do the same.

Ultimately, here’s why Tebow can do that…..

2. He’s TEACHABLE.
Great leaders don’t wait for input, suggestions or ideas… they seek them out. Great leaders say, “You tell me.”

Kanye West says, “You can’t tell me nothin”…. While Tebow says, “I’m really open to what my coaches have to say. And I’m trying my best to apply the things they’re teaching me.”

I get the sense that even though John Elway isn’t “Tebowing”… He is forced to answer Tim Tebow’s questions.

Brilliant.

3. SOBER MINDED.
Nothing dries up a leaders bones like resentment.

I have watched incredibly gifted and talented leaders fall victim to bitterness. It’s as sad as watching someone fall victim to an affair or adultery.

Tebow is sober.

HATERS ARE ALWAYS GOING TO HATE. Why let it bother you? Why let it consume you? Why focus on the negative? Take it in stride.

I believe in the “Power of Positive Thinking.”

Tebow is positive. That’s his disposition.

He doesn’t let peoples words determine his thinking. If you allow people’s opinions to dominate your thought life, you’re going to get RATTLED all the time.

Titus 2:6 says, “Exhort the young men to be sober-minded.”

4. BOLD AS A LION.
This might be my favorite thing about Tebow. That dude does not care.

He is strong, relentless, unshakeable and not afraid of big moments.

Tim Tebow has the type of boldness that could walk up to Saul… tell him that he doesn’t need his armor… go pick up 5 smooth stones… take his frickin sling shot… and go KILL A GOLIATH.

That’s the boldness that Time Tebow possesses.

Great leaders are risk takers. Sit down next Sunday.. and you’ll watch a guy that is not afraid to make a mistake, take a risk or any consequences that come from putting your neck on the line.

“But the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1

5. He’s TRUSTWORTHY.
I think this is why America watches the 4th quarter. I think this is why his teammates are willing to follow a younger player.

He has the Character.

You get the impression that he hasn’t cheated his way to get here. Not in the classroom, the weight room, or the bedroom.

His integrity has lead him here.

6. He never QUITS.
Jimmy V (Jim Valvano) said in his famous last speech “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

Tebow never does. There’s no quit in that guy.

How about for you?
What do you do when you hit your quitting point?
How do you handle adversity?
When you’re down by 10 in the 4th quarter, with only 4 minutes left in the game…

Quitters never prosper. And “If you don’t quit, you win.”

The writer of Hebrews wrote “You hath need of endurance” - Hebrews 10:36

I pray, that as a person and as a leader, you learn how to BREAK THROUGH YOUR QUITTING POINTS. Your life, marriage, ministry.. and your world is way to important to quit on.

See, I believe that you should “Never apologize for your desire to be GREAT.”

You were made by greatness.. for greatness. And He has placed the desire in you to do something for Him, you didn’t discover that on your own.

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13 NKJV

So today, go be great… like TIM TEBOW great.

10 things I’ve learned in 10 years of ministry.

1. LAUGH AT YOURSELF… EVERYONE ELSE IS.

Don’t take things so personal.

Some of the most foolish times in my ministry have been times when I have taken things TOO PERSONAL. Which always goes back to taking myself too serious.

If you take everything personal in ministry, your shelf life is going to be about as long as an NFL running back… a few years of gold and then you’re good for nothin.

2. APOLOGIZE.

3. THERE ARE 2 SIDES TO EVERY STORY.

“Only a fool listens to one side of the story and draws conclusions.”

4. IF IT’S BROKE, FIX IT.

If something is not working, fix it. Change it up.

The service time, the flow of the meeting, personnel, systems, philosophies, etc.

Remember, “Wisdom is proven by fruit”… So if something isn’t bearing much fruit, change it.

5. WHAT YOU FAIL TO HONOR, YOU LOSE.

I’ve had a number of talented leaders with me through the years. Awesome, gifted, fun, powerful, influential leaders.

Whenever I lose a leader, I always have to ask myself how big of a role I played in their departure. I have to admit, a lot of times I was the “reason” why they left.

Either I had taken them for granted, stopped giving them attention, didn’t release them in their gifting, etc etc etc.

Whatever the case may be, I have learned to make sure I honor all people at all times.

What’d Beyonce say again… “If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it.” See what I’m saying.

6. GOD KNOWS WHAT I NEED TO HEAR.. AND WHEN I NEED TO HEAR IT.

Time and time again, God has come through at just the right time, to give me a “word in season.”

God not only knows WHAT, but He is superb with the WHEN.

7. TRUST IS EVERYTHING.

A great question to ask yourself as a leader is “Do people feel safe around me?”

You cannot lead people until you have their heart. You cannot have their heart until you are someone who is trustworthy!

8. IT’S NEVER WORTH IT.

Anytime you go off on someone, lose your temper, give someone a piece of your mind.. you lose.

Lose your temper and you will eventually, inevitably, lose your people.

9. FAVOR AIN’T FAIR.. AND NEITHER IS FAVORITISM.

I used to try to be fair. But then I realized that “life is not fair”

Jesus had favorites. 12 He called “disciples,” 3 were brought closer than the 12. And 1 was his favorite.

It’s ok to have favorites. It’s ok to have a close inner circle. Jesus had one. And it’d be smart for you to create yours.

Without favoritism, there would be no passing of the baton. There would be no replacing yourself. There would have been no Timothy (YOUNG GUN) for Paul, no Elisha for Elijah and no Joshua for Moses.

10. ALL OF MINISTRY FLOWS OUT OF MY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.

When this goes bad, it all goes bad. When this gets dry.. everything goes dry.

When I was young in ministry, I worked hard at having a “DEVOTIONAL LIFE”

As I grow older, my focus has become a “DEVOTED LIFE”

My relationship with Jesus Christ is my ministry.

5 THOUGHTS ON YOUTH MINISTRY TODAY.

1. THAT SCHOOL CRAY.

Every year is different. You never know which school is going to explode! What I love about that is that you never know which school is going to explode with growth.

Usually, these types of explosions go back to one or two students who are really excited about what God is doing in their life and church.

This year, for UG, it’s been AUBURN MOUNTAIN VIEW. Shout out to Jonel for doing it big!

2. CAMPUS MINISTRIES.

“The most untapped mission field in all the world are our school campuses.”

I cannot agree more with this statement. Youth ministry is still about youth. It’s about kids. Kids could care less about the glitz and glamour of your production or notoriety. They care most about you being interested in their world.

Going to campuses always reminds me that I can’t let church get weird, irrelevant or weak. When I’m with them, the mission and the method always becomes clearer… and more urgent.

The most successful youth ministries are RELATIONALLY DRIVEN.

3. YANK THE WHEEL.

When working with adults.. if you yank the wheel.. YOU’RE DEAD MEAT. When you work with young people, if you don’t yank the wheel.. YOU’RE DEAD MEAT.

In other words, keep everything fresh. Young people check out when everything gets predictable. I’m always trying to remind myself NOT to be ROUTINED!

“Healthy things are GROWING and growing things are CHANGING.” If we want to grow, we have to change.

So if you’re struggling to keep things fresh… log on to thevous.com and watch Rich Wilkerson Jr’s service. That’s what I do.. and then I just copy everything he does :) (He’s the best)

4. THE LEADERS WE LEAD.

The UG is blessed to have some of the greatest leaders in the world. I would do anything for them. They are family to me (LOYALTY OVER EVERYTHING).

I’ve always felt like a youth ministry is only as good as it’s leaders. If that’s the case, pouring into our leaders should be priority #1.

The way I look at our leaders is never “What can I get them to do?” but always “How can I help them grow.. how can I do a better job of releasing them to lead?”

5. I’M BIASED, BUT I THINK TODAY, WE HAVE THE BEST YOUTH PASTORS THAT YOUTH MINISTRY HAS EVER SEEN!

There are so many incredible youth pastors around the country.. and world today. So much talent.. So much passion.. So much creativity.

One of the things I love about what’s happening in youth ministry today is that there is a special friendship that is being created both nationally and globally. Twitter and facebook has done that for us. Somehow, someway, a lot of people have gotten to connect. And through that connection, we are able to see what each other is doing.. and through that be ENCOURAGED.

Just to know that there are other dudes out there who are going to games and lunch rooms. Other people out there who are living to make a difference in young people’s lives…

I don’t know about you, but I’m always encouraged by seeing what everyone else is up to. So from me to you… thanks family.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TOO.

Good music is like good preaching.. Hard to find! When you find good music, the only option we have is to play it over and over until we’re sick of it! Here’s what I am currently addicted to…

_____________________________________________________________________________________

  GOD IS ABLE - HILLSONG LIVE

Consistently, the NEW Hillsong album is the soundtrack to my summer. This years album is no exception.

My favorite tracks on this record are; Lost are Found, Rise and You are More.

  EVERY TEARDROP IS A WATERFALL - COLDPLAY

Just feels good to hear some NEW Coldplay. So you know I’m playing the heck out of this track.

  HEY MAMA - MAT KEARNEY 

I really like where Mat is going with his sound. Super fun, super catchy, super ear pleasing… but still really creative.

I think the world of Mat. Love his music. Always have (Even when he was rapping back in the day!!!!)

  I GIVE MYSELF AWAY - WILLIAM MCDOWELL

I have a strong addiction to Gospel music. Not annoying “Please stop singing” Gospel music… I’m into really really good Gospel music (makes sense right).

When I found this guy, I thought “I haven’t heard anybody like this since FRED HAMMOND!”

  HOPE - FOURSQUARE UNITED GENERATION

Shameless plug, I know. But my boy Luke BVG did kill this track on the Misfit Soundtrack.

  BETTER FIND YOUR LOVING - DRAKE

Can someone please write a worship song that sounds like this???!!!!

  MY SALVATION - ROYAL

Trust me, ROYAL is the dopest thing you’ve never heard of!!! But when it comes out… you’re gonna listen to it non-stop. I listen to ROYAL in the gym, at my house, in the car, in my office…. Everywhere! My good friend Nathan Finnochio is a genius.

   AFTERMATH- HILLSONG UNITED

I’ve listened to this record a ridiculous amount of times. Never gets old. An incredible album!

That’s what I’m listening to! What about you? What are you listening to?

9 TWEETS I KEEP THINKING ABOUT.

1. “@hillsong church is not built on the talents of a FEW but by the sacrifices of many.” - @carllentzNYC

- You know it’s a good tweet if it makes you say WOW! This quote reminded me of another quote I love… “I’d rather have a SMALL PART in something BIG than a BIG PART in something SMALL.” Hillsong church constantly amazes us all, not by their music alone, but by their LEADERSHIP and EMPOWERING of other leaders.

2. “My favorite preacher is one who gives me more of a hunger for God!” - @pastorjude

- A great preacher leaves you impressed with God, not himself… And Pastor Jude does this better than most anyone I know!

3. “Toxic culture is like carbon monoxide: You don’t see it or smell it, but you wake up dead!” - @samchand

- I am fascinated with church cultures. Always have been. As someone that is responsible for shaping the culture of the UG, this statement caught my eye. Everyone loses when the culture goes toxic!

4. “Abraham had 8 channels through which $$ flowed to him. Gen 24:35 What channels can God use to bless you?” - @Willie_George

- HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5. “I wish Christian men would spend as much time & energy personally sharing the gospel one on one as they do watching sports.” - @rickwarren

- Last year the Lord asked me to take a 40-day sports fast (during March Madness and the Masters nonetheless). Hardest thing I’ve done in a long time. What I learned in those 40 days was powerful… sports was getting more of my time than I had wanted to admit. When I read this, I said “Wellllllllllllllll”.

6. “INFLUENCE - Never comes cheap - never comes easy - never comes with guarantees - never comes without reason! Use it or lose it!” - @BrianCHouston

- The man dominates the RETWEET. I heard Mark Batterson say “Out of the abundance of the heart the tweeter tweets.” Pastor Brian’s heart is full of wisdom and I loved this quote on INFLUENCE.

7. “Sin will fascinate, then assassinate! It will thrill then kill. It takes you further than you want to go & holds you longer than you want to stay.” - @jentezen

 AINT THAT THE TRUTH!

8. “The world’s about to end YO!” - @HaroldCamping

- Really? Like… Really? COMEON man!!

9. “Dad and I watch Johny Wayne, love pedal steel, sing “Don’t worry baby” by the Beach Boys out loud, and love espresso. What do you & your dad do?” - @nathanfinnochio

- My dad and I watch sports, play golf, talk church and listen to Alexander Fairchild together!

THE LEADER I DON’T WANT TO BE…

There are a lot of leaders I really want to be like (Brian Houston, Tony Dungy, Rev Run, etc) … and there are a lot of leaders I really DON’T want to be like!

Here are a few…

1 The INCONSISTENT Leader

“People don’t have a problem with AUTHORITY as much as they have a problem with INCONSISTENT AUTHORITY.” – Wayne Cordeiro

2 The EXAGGERATOR

In our line of work, CREDIBILITY is everything.

If you are credible, you are trustworthy.

I work really hard on being accurate. If anything, I will downplay things, so that I never lose my audience (or people’s respect). I never want people to think “Oh, that’s not true” OR “Divide that in half and that’s probably how many people were there.” (Or how many calls a day you really get, etc.)

The thing about the EXAGGERATOR is that they don’t realize that most of the time they are LYING… and somehow, someway… intuition, discernment, whatever… everyone else knows they’re lying too!

3 The SELF-PROMOTER

Self-promotion is really self-validation. Ultimately, it stems from the feeling of, “I haven’t been validated enough by others so I need to validate myself,” OR “I haven’t been validated enough so I need you to see that someone else is validating me.” (Hence the RETWEET a compliment)

Let’s all make sure we’re on the same page: The bible says, “Promotion cometh not from the east nor the west; promotion cometh from the Lord”   Psalm 75 (my version)

Great leaders are always BEING PROMOTED. They NEVER feel like they have to promote themselves because everyone is doing that for them.

Whack leaders work hard to be able to NAME DROP….

Great leaders, their name is always being DROPPED.

You have to decide what kind of leader you want to be when it comes to this!

4 The ISOLATED

“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.” Proverbs 18:1

I have seen a lot of great leaders make this mistake.

When you are isolated, you lose two important things; COMMUNITY and ACCOUNTABILITY.

Community: Having friends, meaningful relationships, laughter (like from the belly type stuff ya know),  health, etc.

Accountability: Having people that are close enough to you to call you out on your junk.

Another thing that hurts the isolated leaders is that they only care about themselves or “their thing” (i.e. their goal, their life, their thing, their church). 

Living for “our” thing will only limit how powerful we can be together.

5 The “MOUNTAINS OUT OF MOLE HILLS” Leader

Please don’t ever be the leader that makes a BIG DEAL about things that are SMALL; and a SMALL DEAL about things that should be BIG.

This is always a sign of immaturity. Most punitive leaders will tell you that they are not punitive… the only reason why they say this is because they KNOW that THEY ARE!  Punitive leaders are experts at making “mountains out of a mole hill”

They REACT rather than RESPOND. Highly emotional leaders tend to fall prey to this dysfunction and the cost is high (loss of respect, trust, peace, etc).

Great leaders MAJOR in the MAJORS.

Weak leaders MAJOR in the MINORS.

6 The Leader that STOPS GROWING

When a leader stops growing, it is usually because they think they have “arrived.”

Why read more, study more, podcast more, inquire more, research more, find out what Brian C Houston is doing more???

Arrival is a nasty disease. It creeps in slowly and takes a long time for it to do it’s work. It really doesn’t show it’s TOTAL DAMAGES for quite awhile. In fact, it could be years before you can calculate the damages of ARRIVAL.

Great leaders are ALWAYS GROWING. They are learning, asking questions, reading, etc. 

My pastor always says “ANYTHING THAT IS NOT GROWING… IS DYING”

I think there’s a lot of truth in that statement.

The solution is: stay HUMBLE and stay HUNGRY!