Had a great morning with Hutch. We have connected real well and even got to share some of my crazy dreams with him. So excited about connecting relationally with people in our new town. Went straight from breakfast to lunch (I know...that's ridiculous) with Matt Padgett in downtown Charlotte. Had a cool conversation with him about striving for excellence in everything we do.I'm at my office (Port City Java) working on some graphic design stuff. Just finished our business cards for Hope. Will post them later.

I know it sounds crazy, but it's therapeutic for me to start working again. We have been so crazy transitioning to Charlotte, getting unpacked, going to DC, etc. It's nice to start getting into a routine.I'm meeting tomorrow with a new friend, Hutch Vollendorf in the morning and then another friend, Matt Padgett, in the afternoon. Both of these guys are starting out at Hope with us and I'm really looking forward to getting to know them more.In between these meetings I'll end up at a coffee shop somewhere and bang out some more work for Hope. I've got a task list a mile long of all the things...

We have been teaching Max and Mary that Jesus lives in their heart. It's really cute...you ask them where Jesus lives and they will either point to the sky or to their heart (depending on the moment). So the other day we are at lunch at Ruby Tuesday and Max is drinking his juice box and obviously in deep thought. He looks over at Dara and says, "Mommy, when I drink my juice does Jesus get wet?" We both look at each other confused, and asked him to repeat the question. He states it exactly the same way and then we both erupted in laughter.The mind of a child. If Jesus lives in him, then he...

I am at the Starlight Theater (where we will be meeting starting in August) today. I did a promo booth for the Mega Sports Camp that our children's ministry is doing the first week of August. Over 500 kids showed up today for free summer movies at the theater! I was able to hand out a ton of registration forms for this event.We will be hosting a cheerleading and basketball camp for elementary aged kids. Part of the event will take them into the theater for a journey through the life of Moses. This is a great way to connect with kids and their families. We're praying that we see some families...

I'm reading "Pour Your Heart Into It" by Howard Schultz (head honcho of Starbucks). Here's a thought that really stuck out to me (page 106):If you want to build a great enterprise, you have to have the courage to dream great dreams. If you dream small dreams, you may succeed in building something small. For many people, that is enough. But if you wan to achieve widespread impact and lasting value, be bold. Who wants a dream that's near-fetched?I am in a season of dreaming some pretty big things right now. So much in my heart and in my spirit for the future. I don't want to regret not going...

I love this. We had an epic game of hide and seek last night. Max and Mary vs. Dara and I. Jack just ran around being excited. So much fun. I had such a great time in DC connecting with people, but nothing will ever top moments like these with the fam.

My flight leaves DC around lunchtime and I stopped by Ebz to catch a portion of NCC's leadership 101 course. This is their way that they train their small group leaders. A couple of interesting observations:1. Their courses run in 3 month semesters. This gives people an easy entrance and exit point.2. They have an "open market" system. They let their new leaders decide what type of group they want to do and when they want to do it. This gives people the chance to let their greatest passion meet someone else's greatest need. Pretty cool format.

When I was in DC this week I got swept into the Twitter rage. I have added it to my blog on the sidebar and you can also follow me on Twitter.

Mark started off this session talking about the fact that there is a cognitive shift from right brain to left brain in leadership. Over time, you begin to move from creativity to memory. The challenge in this last session was to continue to lead out of creativity, not memory. How challenging! Here are his five tips on how to stay doing ministry out of creativity:1. Cross pollinate. - It is absolutely critical that you read like crazy, nurture the curiosity within you.2. Do reconnaissance - I never want to be a closed system - Go to other churches or companies and study what they are doing. -...

This session was led by Jud Wilhite...- Even in a church plant you will have to re-invent yourself- 70% of successful transitions happen from hiring within- An inevitable occurrence is that staff will leave during transitionLeadership1. Lead yourself. No one else will.2. Lead with a team. - Staff and volunteer dynamics...nothing happens in isolation. - Get honest with yourself about strengths and weaknesses and be humble enough - Talk openly with your team about strengths and weaknesses - The Sr. Pastors job is not to do it all...it’s to get it all done.3. Structure for growth more than...