Hanging out in Southbend
I am hanging out in Southbend Indiana with 24 other pastors from around the country as we have come to hang out for two days with the staff at Granger Community Church. I have never personally visited GCC but I watch them online often and we sent Earl here last year to get some ideas for KW. I have been blown away by many things so far here are a few:
- Everything (I know, I know) rises and falls on leadership! I have heard that since I was a kid by my dad, I believe it is true but sometimes this essential is magnified in certain environments both good and bad and here at GCC it is for the good!
- The entire team from top to bottom is humble, approachable, nice – not a prima-donna in the crowd!
- Passion is caught not taught!
- In order to have a healthy, authentic organization you must identify a MISSION that calls people up and worth living for (should be easy for a church) – a STRATEGY or SYSTEM that helps you accomplish the MISSION and VALUES that help you relationally achieve IT.
GCC started in a theater – in 1986, it wasn't until 1996 that they moved into a permanent facility – WOW! 10 years of being portable. Seeing where they are today is extremely motivating and it makes me thankful for where God has Elmwood in the process today. Our tendency as humans is to see something that somebody else (friends, parents, churches…) has and want it NOW. We have a hard time being patient and embracing the PROCESS that God wants to take us through in order to grow our character, refine our lives, build our integrity and faith.
GCC has a mission to reach people who are unconvinced, disconnected from their Heavenly Father! We got to be in their weekly SWAT (Staff Working As A Team) meeting with their entire staff today and it was one of the most remarkable environments that I have ever seen or felt in regards to staffing. They break their hour down in 3 parts - STORIES – tell stories not just results of what is happening in everybody's area of ministry, SPOTLIGHT – spotlight on a person or ministry and let everybody share the importance and impact that this person or ministry are having, STUFF – sharing stuff that is happening or going to happen in the future – vision casting is incorporated through out the hour by Mark Beeson the Lead Pastor and facilitator of the meeting.
Great day looking foward to day two!
Miss my fam – hey guys love and miss you – daddy will be home Friday morning!
