Snap...Literally!

Nearly 40 first year ladies Cadre came to the ATL to enjoy some spoiling and get some coaching. Ladies Cadres are composed of male Cadre members' wives and female Cadre members. Right out of the gate, I knew it was going to be a fun time...and that it was, all but about two hours of it.

Envision this, we walk right next to Jeanne's house to take a picture by this grassy open area near the lake like we always do. There is a fence there and, as they were lining up for the photo, a couple of them jump on top of it to create a taller row. When I see them do it, it was no surprise, they always do. Then, I say out loud to a couple of people near me, "some day that fence is going to break." I didn't think break, break...just crack. Not two minutes later, it didn't crack, but it broke, broke. What I didn't realize was the drop behind it is at least nine foot straight down. Four girls fall forward and two back. One of the two goes all the way down...doing a few flips along the way. Honestly, had she not landed right, she could have died. At the bottom is a cement slap. Well, thank you Jesus she didn't die, but ended up with a beat up elbow and whole lot of bruises, including a major one on her heel requiring an ankle brace. I honestly think God healed it in route to the ER, I would have laid money her heel was broken, if not shattered. I had a deja vu moment when we were trying to assess her injuries. It wasn't quite like the guy who broke his leg at camp that I talked down from going into shock on the way to the hospital, but it felt like it. I was nice and calm on the outside, but totally freaking out for about 15 minutes on the inside. When she began to shiver and her eyes started to roll a little, I just kept talking and asking her questions about life and ministry. She is an incredible young lady, she was back from the hospitial within a couple of hours and ready to roll for the evening session.

To top off the day, Old Red (our 15 passenger van) needed a jump start before the girls left to go home for the evening. I tell Robby, "if she dies in route, don't jump it...it's probably the alternator and you'll kill the battery." Robbie takes off and 3 minutes later I get a phone call. It's living up to it's FORD reputation once again - Found On Road Dead. Three of us jump in our cars to the rescue. Two hours later I'm back at Jeanne's house making "new" pick-up plans for morning at midnight.

I always say the impact of Cadres are in direct proportion to the difficulty it takes to pull them off. This was no exception. Apart from those few moments, it was an AMAZING couple of days. I had the greatest journey group ever, in fact we are working on our own little reunion in Dallas next month.

Here is a snapshot from a few of the lines one friend wrote today, "Words cannot express what the Cadre, Masters, you and Jeanne mean to me... Our youth service last night was so awesome. I can feel a boldness in me like never before and it comes from Jesus and what you guys are imparting into my life."

I am grateful for all the post Cadre notes of encouragement that come in. It's a big deal and reminds me every push to get itineraries in, every transportation run, every housing reshuffle and every kink in the schedule is sooooo more than worth it.

Oh, by the way, it was the alternator.

Diet Mountain Dew Free

It's been almost 3 weeks without a Diet Mt. Dew, just want those who thought I might fall out and die to know I'm still alive. I had no withdrawals...crazy I know. The #1 question people ask is "do you feel better?" First, I never felt bad, I did it for kicks (I know weird sense of humor). Second, if I did feel bad and didn't know it, I feel no better. However, I must confess I have had about four Diet Cokes in that time frame while out at restaurants.

For My Indiana Family and Friends

It's currenty 15 degrees in Atlanta and with the windchill feels like 1. It is currently 2 degress in Indiana and feels like 2. Now is your time to rub it in...it "feels" colder in Atlanta than it does in Indiana. Hurry, you don't have much time, it's supposed to be in the 60's all next week.

14 Months Ago

14 months ago my dad died ... 14 months ago my quiet times with Jesus were buried with him. I remember someone whom I love screaming at me in tears and pain late the night before I preached his funeral, "Where was your fu$%in' Jesus when he put the noose around his neck...where was he Judy!?!?" I had all the right answers for him that would have made all of my current and past spiritual mentors proud. But deep inside, I really wasn't smokin' what I was sellin,' as Rob Bell would say. I didn't get it anymore than he did. All the "right" answers, while right and true, didn't help...not even kinda...not even a little bit.

For the last 14 months I've done a lot of great things FOR God and read a lot of great books ABOUT God, but didn't have it in me to read GOD'S WORD for myself. You might be thinkin', are you telling me you haven't cracked the Bible in 14 months? Nope, not for myself anyway, not once...I did for some messages and Sunday School lessons, but I'm not sure that counts. It took the difficulties of last month to come to the end of myself, at least I think I'm there. Have I prayed? Yep...good Christian prayers, saying the words I know to say. I tried to do what I knew to do despite how I felt (that's what I've always taught), but it wasn't working so good for me.

As I posted, the last week my office has been like a revolving door late into the night, students coming in and chillin' in my office just to talk. (While I may not have cracked my Bible, I have become a better listener and question asker...most days). A couple of times, while they were talking and I heard myself give some great "Godly" advice, my mind swirled elsewhere. Believe it or not, it was a prayer..."God help me not to be the poser I currently feel that I am." So, with resolve, I've been spending time with Jesus each day. The first two were like trying to kick myself out of the grave, but tonight the wall I built around my heart began to crack.

Here's what I was reminded of in James this week so far...

Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (When I read that, I didn't find it fun, funny or even inspiring...I wasn't off to a good start)

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (found comfort in that, so I asked God for it)

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (totally could relate, felt pretty battered)

But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (when you're not right with God, you jump to anger much quicker)

Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselfs. Do what it says. (hmmm, great advice, easier said than done by far)

If anyone considers himself religious and yet doesn not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (big statement)

Don't show favoritism (period)

Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

Mercy triumphs over judgment!

What good is it, my brother, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

"Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. (How cool would that be! I hate the song "I am a friend of God." Each time it makes me think, am I?...would He really call me that?" I guess you can sing it in hope and faith.)

We all stumble in many ways. (what an understatement)

It (the tongue) corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire... (take junk thoughts captive, do not let them come out of my mouth)

The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse. (I had the works down the last year, didn't do so well on the faith...felt pretty dead, thus pretty true statement)

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or DENY the truth. (I always caught the don't boast about it, but not sure I ever caught the "or deny the truth." While not sure it pertains to bitter envy or selfish ambition, this verse reminds me about how confessing things out loud disarms them...probably why I published this post).

19 Months Later, Still My Hero In Ministry

I started working for my boss and friend 19 months ago today. I'm not going to lie, I didn't expect my mentor and hero to live up to my expectations. I know better than to put people on pedestals. However, 19 months later, I am grateful my respect for her has done nothing but grown. We've lived a whole lot of life in 19 months, to the point it feels more like 5 years. We've experienced some of the highest highs and lowest lows. Two words that best describe her were spoken by her son years ago, they are "blasted consistent." Consistent in her call, love, devotion to Jesus and commitment to be there for her husband, family and staff. I remember her once saying that one of her goals was that "those who know me (her) best, would love me (her) most."

I consider myself a low maintenance employee, which can be ones greatest blessing and greatest curse. But, one of things that Jeanne's taught me by watching her life is that sometimes when you most need encouragement, no one will realize it so you just have to ask for it ... so I did. January was a rough month for me, because of the added stress of the flood, budget, refinancing the church, board meetings and rebidding contracts on the church side, everything on the Youth Leader's Coach side got behind. I felt like I was juggling a dozen balls in the air at the same time and was dropping them all...not really, but it felt like that big time in my head. So, I asked to go out for a quick coke, but instead she gave me a two hour lunch and helped me clear my head. Because she's fought the battles, she can speak about to the ministry mind games like no other ... the mind games no one ever talks about. Through it all she's been faithful and "blasted consistent"

The Revolvoing Door

Last night was a trip and reminded me how much I love our students at MC Atlanta. My office was like a revovling door from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., as one student left another would come to hangout and talk. First it was Jorge, then Rey, then Scotto, then Phillip and then when we had a power outage Nathan, Daniel and Scotto came in and chilled for awhile. I called it quits a little after 2 a.m. before my lamp died (it is plugged into this big old surge protect that operates as a back up battery for my computer). My relational tank was on full when they left ... I talked with one about his friend, another about youth ministry, another about family and another about his outstanding work. All the conversations were amazing but the two most memorable ones were with Rey and Daniel.

Rey got a whole years worth of youth ministry training in one week. One of our middle school students threw a fist at youth group last week. Instead of handling it myself, I coached Rey through it. He did an incredible job from talking to the boys involved to the mother of the kid who threw the fist. He felt the victory of one of the student really hearing him and, as a result, making positive choices...and the defeat of the other who really didn't get it. Rey is an amazing leader and will rock the world as a youth pastor some day (actually he really is one now, but someday will have the official title).

I had never really had much of a coversation with Daniel until last night. I learned about his wonderful parents, how his family is rallying in difficult economic times and that his church home back in North Carolina is Steven Furtick's Elevation Church. Daniel is an amazing young man full of optimism and Jesus. I am feeling the need for a road trip to North Carolina with a carload of MC'ers soon.

They are all incredible young men of God that if I had a kid, I would want them to hang out with. Right now we are in the midst of Experience where we showcase MC Atlanta to 60+ potential students next year. The hallways have been full of energy all day. Tonight is quiet though, our students are back in their apartments spoiling our guests like only MC Atlanta can spoil them.

Who Is Asking The Questions

And the survey says... we have been taken for a ride by American Express, Pitney Bowes, Nuvox and Milner phone systems. Seriously, it's enough to make me beat my head against the wall. However, it's not their bad, it's ours for not asking the questions years ago. I think churches have a tendancy to just pay the bills and fail to obtain adequate information. The ongoing question should be why and if you can't answer it, do your homework and figure it out? Why is this interest rate so high? Why do we have this elaborate postage meter that is so fancy it should be able to spit nickels? Why is our T1 line so expensive every month...have we ever thought about telling them we are switching to a different company just to see what they say? Why are we leasing our phone system and who signed this stupid contract anyway with hidden costs that are lawsuit worthy? Because of the economic times, my amazing team and I are going over every reoccuring payment that goes out of that place. While most of them are totally legit, some leaving you scratching your head. No more...it's a new day.

When You Can Scale Back No More

I hurt for some friends back home who lost their jobs this week. While I know God holds them in the very palm of His hand, it still leaves a knot in the pit of my stomach. Being the creater and keeper of the church budget at the Tabernacle, I know the feeling of waiting for the numbers to come in each week. It's a point of GREAT confusion for me. While I feel it's a lack of faith to hold my breath, it doesn't prevent me from doing so. When I see the email from Vicky reporting the weekly figures, I literally suck air while clicking it open. This week I rejoiced that we exceeded budget by 19 bucks ... I had that feeling in the pit of my stomach last week when we didn't ... historically January is a tough month for us. I scaled back everything I could for 2009. I'm rebiding contracts, cutting out the little fat that there is and helping to get the church refinanced. By doing so, it might give us a pinch of breathing room. Without it, our bottom line will be zero at the end of the year. However, if there is much in the way of out of the ordinary expenses (like a flood and deductibles), weather that affects attendance, etc., it will jack us up. There are times I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. While I won't be the one to determine who, I know the very jobs of friends who are like family are on the line. So, I pray, I cut and I watch.

Time Out

The ramp up to Epicenter NYLC 09 is fun and exciting, but beginning to take on an incredible pace. In the midst of creating and preparing product, overseeing exhibitors and a number of other things we had the flood (ie insurance adjusters, contracters and industrial hygienist), been refining the 09 budget, getting bids on phone systems, refinancing the church to take advantage of the lower rates and two ladies Cadres (one last week and one Feb. 9-10) ... all of which is good and right. However, yesterday I took a time out and left the office at 4 p.m. and said enough is enough. I spent last night and all of this morning chillin at Jeanne's by the lake before lunch with Kayla and "Find Your Leader" at the mall with my middle school 02 group. It was good to just breathe and sleep. Jeanne's words to me a few emails ago from out of the country were "don't forget my porch is annointed." So, you will find me and Jesus hangin' there tomorrow afternoon. It was in the 60's today, hopefully it will be tomorrow but it's feelin' a little chillier tonight.

Diet Mountain Dew

So, I gave up Diet Moutain Dew for a few days. Most would have thought I'd fall over in convulsions dead, but I've faired pretty well. I haven't had the "no caffeine headaches" that I would have thought. I replaced my drink of choice with orange "Vitamin Water." I think I've been sucked into a marketing ploy. It's really melted orange popsicle at twice the cost of the Diet Moutain Dew. However it does say "water" so I'm claiming it as so.

Freebies

Cool free resource for youth workers at...
Youth Leader's Coach: www.youthleaderscoach.com/vault/
Southeast Christian Church: www.vineresources.com
Simply Youth Ministry: www.simplyyouthministry.com/freebies.html

When Tragedy Strikes

Our little "when the rain came down" inside the building episode this weekend reminded me of the importance of having people who will rally around you when things get tough. About 20 MC students stuck it out for 14 hours on Saturday, another 20 for about 8 hours, to ready the church for Sunday. The final crew left about 3 a.m.

The ServiceMaster man is here and complimented us up on our clean up. However, our efforts didn't negate the fact that everything behind and underneath the surface is saturated. He is telling me that the floorboards are wet, the walls are wet...everything is pretty much wet... and needs to be ripped out.

None of that pales in comparison to what two friends are going through...

One just lost pretty much everything in a house fire in Illinois. Thankfully, his church is rallying. However, it doesn't fix the fact that his life is a whirlwind right now. Pray for the Raitz family.

One of our MC students was related to the four killed in the grisly Oklahoma slayings ... where the boyfriend killed the girlfriend and her four kids. Most of the kids were from a previous marriage to the MC student's brother. The MC gang rallyed, including one driving him home so he can go to his nieces and nephew's funeral. The MC student driving him also happens to be the one who oversaw putting in all the ceiling tiles for us on Saturday. We've got an amazing crew.

It's raining ... inside the building

Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy day. About 12:15 p.m., all heck broke loose. A water main to the sprinkler system split in half. Seriously, a four or five inch connecter joint thingy busted in two. It was pouring inside the building like I've never seen before. Coming out of the ceiling, down the walls, right through to the lower level. All while a funeral service was going on in the Sanctuary. It was an ugly site to behold.

Fortunately, over half of our MC gang were on hand. It's 9 p.m. and 14 of them are stilling sucking up water and shampooing the carpets. They are my heroes tonight. They will be here well after midnight and becasue of them we will have church tomorrow. Like pretty much every church in America right now, economically we can not go without a Sunday's offering. I know that sounds unspiritual. However, the keeper of the budget, thinks of such things.

Lessons learned today:
1. Instead of buying shop vacs, rent shampoo machines...they can suck up the nasty water first, then you can use them to clean the carpets afterwards.
2. Don't forget to rent the blowers to dry the carpet too. Fortuately we remembered.
3. In a staff meeting, devote an hour to walking the building and showing staff where the water main, gas main, circuit breakers and server are located. Even if they don't shut the water/gas/electricity off, they can show the fire department where it's located. We could have avoided a few hundred or thousand gallons pouring out if we knew where the water main was right away. We didn't even realize it, but the majority of the water was pouring down about ten feet away from the room where the serve resides. Thank you Jesus it didn't hit the $3,500 additional back up unit we just installed the day before.
4. Have a list somewhere of the telephone numbers for plumbers, electricians and whoever else might be helpful in an emergency situation. If your "go to" person can't be found, you should still be able to handle the crisis.
5. When the water sprinkler pipe breaks, there is a nasty odor that smells like gas ... in this case it wasn't, the water just stinks bad.
6. Boards warp really fast.
7. Know who you can count on in a crisis. The MC students rocked the house. I am like a proud mama right now.
8. We might of shot ourselves in the foot with the insurance company becasue we cleaned it up. Hopefully, the video and pictures we took will suffice. Regardless, had we not cleaned it up, we couldn't have had church. That wasn't an option.
9. You can't clean part of any carpet. It's an all or nothing deal. When the damaged area ended up being cleaner than the rest of the carpet, all had to be done.
10. How people respond in a crisis is a test of character. Our students passed with flying colors. This really is a special place. I am living amongst furture (and current) worldchangers. They give me hope for the church of today and tomorrow.

Winter

It's midnight and it's only 20 degrees here. I'm thinking I shouldn't have left my winter coat in Indiana. That's what I get for braggin' how much warmer it is here.

Busted open this little gem and finished it while on Christmas break. It is a MUST read. Totally brilliant.

It was as easy to read as the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Which, whether you're a Maxwell fan or not, is brilliant as well. Sooooo brilliant, that once again I am junior highizing it and teaching it to them on Sunday mornings.

Week 1: Who is standing next to you ... a gorilla or a slug?

Ugh!

Can it get any my dreary? Today...
1. Was my dad's birthday
2. I crunched numbers and finished the Tabernacle's 2009 budget
3. It rained most of the day (although can't complain too much, at 9 p.m. tonight it was 65 degrees)

The saving grace was that the MC students came back from Christmas break this evening. We played a fun game where staff, 3rd and 4th years disguised themselves and walked around the mall. The 1st and 2nd years had to find them and get them to sign their card. Pictures to follow...at some point.

Welcome home, we missed you

Those were the words of a about a dozen people yesterday. The transition over the last year and a half has been interesting. For the first year of living in the ATL, Indiana still felt like home. The last six months, neither felt like home. Now, Atlanta truly feels like home. The #1 question people ask me when I come back to Indiana is, “do you like living in Atlanta?” The answer is that “I do.” Here’s why…

1. I love who I get to work with and for. My boss is amazing … a leader, visionary, coach, mentor and friend. We/I throw the “friend” word out pretty easily, but she truly is one. You should do life and work with people you love and who love you. If you are going to do this thing 50-70 hours a week, it matters.

2. I love MC Atlanta…seeing and working with 80+ God seeking, Jesus lovin’, hope filled, funny and fun 18-22 year olds is a hoot. We’ve mastered what it is to live in a “family environment.” I so believe in this program that has a foundational year of character and integrity building before its second year of leadership development. I’ve come to believe leadership without character is incredibly dangerous. I think in the church world we’ve lost sight of that a little. We build leaders and hope they catch character along the way. It’s a risky business.

3. I love diversity. As I mentioned, I go to a church that is comprised of 50 different nationalities that are predominately black in skin tone. I would love to say it didn’t affect me when I first moved down here, but honestly it kind of freaked me out. However, I went from immediately noticing that I was often times the only white person in a room, to seeing past skin tone. People are people, color really is just skin tone. I need to sit down and figure out how to put the transformation within me into better words.

4. I love to be stretched when it comes to leadership. I have my hand in a number of things right now. It breaks all the “less is more”, “laser focus is better” and “do only what you do best and hand off the rest” leadership principles I’ve learned along the way. However, that’s not an option right now and I’m great with it for this season. Plus, in my ear from the get go, I feel like God has been whispering “as you step into your future, this stuff will be important.” I’m not sure why, but am embracing the opportunities.

5. Words cannot express how much I learned at Granger from watching Mark, Rob, Dr. Bob, Ed, Mel, Georgia, Dave and a whole bunch of others too numerous to mention. I learn best by watching, not reading. So, all that stuff I absorbed by people watching is needed here. If you ever wonder “why they do what they do,” just go somewhere not doing it and you’ll be quick to know “the why behind the what.” Between that and the fact there is plenty of new stuff to learn here, it keeps my mind busy processing. We’re more denominationally tied here, which I love and hate with about the same amount of passion.

6. I’m a big fan of three seasons – spring, summer and fall. The average in July is only 5 degrees warmer here than in Indiana, but the average in January is 20 degrees warmer here than in Indiana. So, the summers aren’t much hotter, but the winters are much warmer. For someone who hates to be cold, that and the fact that the sun shines a lot more here is good for my soul. At 7 p.m. tonight it was 60 degrees. Last week in Indiana, for the life of me I couldn’t get warm. And when I was out at 7 p.m., my words were “why does it feel like I’m sitting in the middle of a freezer?”

So, life in the ATL is good for me. The second question I get asked when I’m in Indiana is “when are you coming back to Indiana, we miss you…we need you?” Probably not anytime soon, I am home.

Rachel Leazenby

Did you ever write a post that was about five times longer than you expected, breaking all "posting" rules, but just don't care and are going to post it anyway?...well here is one for you.

Rachel Leazenby

It was a wonderful holiday in some ways, horrible in others. On Christmas Eve, one of the leaders who served alongside of me in Oasis died in a car accident. Rachel always had a smile on her face – she was full of life, laughter, adventure and vision. Her smile was contagious. As I got to know the family over the years, I think it was one of four things that are a pre-requisite for all their family. Rachel’s life is marked by a family that…
(1) smiles
(2) loves Jesus
(3) uses their God given talents for the Cause, the King and the Kingdom, and
(4) leans in

As I sat through the funeral, I thought of the affect their family has had on my life and ministry over the years.

Before meeting Rachel, I met her brother-in-law, Jeff Banicki, when he first came to play drums for us at Oasis. I was glad he had mega skill because just watching him play was a site to behold. I love watching people who can play (sing) and smile at the same time. Like Rachel, Jeff had that same contagious smile as he’d “lean in” to the drum kit while he played. His face helped to lite up the stage and it kept beaming when he stepped off of it as well.

I then met Rachel’s sister, Leah Banicki. Leah would come and sing solos for us at Oasis. Her voice is indescribably AMAZING…seriously. I remember time and time again giving God thanks for her ministry, especially to our girls. I loved that they were able to watch her “lean in” to the microphone, smiling as she sang, using her talent for God’s glory. She inspired us with her music and her life. In fact, I’m sure there are many high school girls singing into school choir microphones because of her.

I then met Rachel and Leah’s mom and dad, Gene and Mary Ort, at Camp Adventure. They would come and set up camp with their trailer so that we could have the most superb sound ever to be heard at camp. Gene’s talented beyond measure when it comes to many things, especially sound. He could have been making a lot of money somewhere that week I’m sure, but instead he gave it up to run sound for a bunch of middle school students free of charge. Often I’d look over and see Gene smiling as he would “lean in” to the board to twist a knob, push a button or raise a slider, as nearly 200 middle school students and leaders were jumping all over the place during worship. The fact that Mary would come to our “rustic” camp was beautiful. I know many of wives who would have simply kissed their husbands on his way out the door and said “see ya next week.” She didn’t “have to” spend a week fighting off dear flies and showering in rusty/iron/sulfur water, she “chose to” in order to “lean in” to her husband with love and support.

Then, Rachel came on the scene. As I would walk around checking on small groups, Rachel could always be found sitting with a smile on her face as she would “lean in” to her circle of girls in order to listen well. It, among other things, made her a great leader. Her imprint will remain on the lives she touched forever … and, if you haven’t heard, forever is a really long time.

You’d think it would end there, but it doesn’t … Along comes Rachel’s husband, Jon. Jon was one of the coaches for our annual flag football tournament. Jon was a great coach. He’d huddle up his players tight, arms stretched across each others back, and all would “lean in” to hear his voice of wisdom and encouragement. Rachel would be right in there next to him. Their passion for the sport and, more importantly, our kids ran deep.

Like I said, it’s a family thing. For some reason, while sitting through the beautiful service that celebrated her life, I was in my own little world celebrating and giving God thanks for their family. All throughout, those two simple words, “lean in”, kept washing over my mind like the ocean’s tide. They all do it so well. While Rachel went on ahead of them to warm up their section of the dance floor with Jesus, they will continue to mark people on their journey with their love for Jesus, smiles and use of their talents for Kingdom purposes. This week I continue to give thanks and pray for the Ort-Leasenby-Banicki family. May you “Lean in” to Jesus my friends, now more than ever.

And I Am Going Home Why?

Ok friends and family, it hit the 70 degree mark a few times this week ... and will be in the 60's next. Right now you have a negative 18 windchill factor. Why are you not coming here? My loyalty will last at least another year, but after that there's no guarantee I'll be back home in Indiana ... at least not in December. Good grief ... I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about the ride home tomorroow.

Marketing Exponentially

What happens when you and 268 of your closest friend across the nation have buy-in and promote a conference all at the same time? ... registrations start rising at an exponential rate. I told our board the world has yet to see what kind of affect something like the Cadre has on a conference. We're beginning to see some of it. I still hold to my prediction that NYLC09 will sell out by our second cut-off date on February 20. Jeanne thinks I'm delirious, but you just wait...

Baby Mayo

What fun. Elijah Mayo was born today. Jeanne's first grandkid. He's a cutie. Congrats Josh and Monica!

Random Highs and Lows

Interesting Day ... Random Highs and Lows

1. Saw this video on DC's blog yestday and I'm hooked. I must have watched it a half a dozen times today. If you watch it, make sure you watch the WHOLE thing.

2. Took Brittany out to dinner before Oxygen for her birthday. Good times. I love mentoring moments and coversations with MC students.

3. Jim is back in the hospital after another serious episode. While in the hospital, the nursing staff allowed his blood pressure to rise well above 200 and then he proceeded to have another major seisure. Between Jim and them yanking my dad off all meds and sending him home, I'm losing confidence in our medical professionals ... but what choice do you have?

4. I'm creating the 09 budget for the church and with a two minute calculation think I just saved the church $10,000. Most of my salary comes from Youth Leader's Coach, but a little of it comes from the Tabernacle. I texted Jeanne that the Tab got a good deal when she hired me for YLC. She texted back that it was the "understatment of the universe!!!!" An exaggeration on her part for sure, but felt good nonetheless.

5. I'm a simple learner. Today I was reminded how we have a tendency to circumvent protocol without much consideration for those affected. Then, when you become responsible for those people and areas affected, you get a little more touchy. I was more than a little frustrated today.

6. Today we had our 02 small group night with our students and I had to do #4 on my previous post afterwards ... correct and redirect. We did not come with our "A" game ... or our "B" game for that matter. We "coasted" into Christmas Break tonight after a great weekend ... not good! But, I love, love, love my team so we sat down and had a little pow wow afterwards. I tried to put it in the most positive encouraging way possible, but the room was still verrrrry quiet. I could have waited until after break, but didn't think that would be effective. One of my team members commented privately afterwards that she was grateful. Regardless, it was a tough call. Ugh!

7. The fire alarms just went off ... smoke detected on the first floor. No smoke, so we reset the alarm and called the alarm company. They indicated the fire department had not been dispatched. As I hung up with them, Robert called and said the fire department was at the front door. Go figure.

That's my cue to go home!

Everyone needs...

As I learn to help give oversight to nine people in six different departments/areas, along with a bunch of MC Cadre and Middle School leads, I'm reminded of some things "everyone needs." A few I had already learned, a few are new and few were realized out of my own longings through the years. Here you go...

1. Everyone needs to know they are cherished/valued by you and those around you
2. Everyone needs a champion … someone who will defend them
3. Everyone needs a cheerleader … someone who will shout their praises to others
4. Everyone needs corrected and redirected on occasion, none of us are perfect
5. Everyone needs to know that when they are corrected and redirected, your love for them hasn’t changed
6. Everyone needs to be communicated/met with, even if only a few minutes a week by phone
7. Everyone needs to know they are heard … even if you don’t agree, let them speak
8. Everyone needs you to know what it’s like to live in their shoes … try doing their job, even for a day. I guarantee you will be surprised at what you learn and often times your compassion level will go way up.
9. Everyone needs a random act of kindness
10. Everyone needs to know what they do and who they are matters ... you know it, you see it, you proclaim it.

For the Cause, for the King, for the Kingdom ... I will get these ten down better with each passing day.

70 Degrees

The good news is that it's supposed to hover around 70 degrees all week, the bad news is that I'm sick as a dog (however sick a dog is). I have the MC Cough and we are dropping like flies around here. If I would stop trying to cough up my lung, I think things might get better. In the meantime I'm OD'ing on Mucinex Maximum Strength and Aleve Cold & Sinus. Mucinex has the most discusting tag line, but it got me to buy it ... Mucinex In. Mucus Out. Just thought I'd share that with you and the fact that between the two drugs, I dropped $35. I was telling Nathan how horrible I felt and he said "horrible enough to go to the doctor?" My answer, surprise ... surprise, "no way, not yet."

I never get tired of youth ministry

On Saturday, we did an event blitz. We went and bought Alee, the six year we adopted for Christmas, a skateboard and some other fun presents and took it down to the Atlanta Dream Center. Then my small group of girls, all 17 of them, piled in cars to go to my apartment where I made dinner for them, we watched I'll Be Home For Christmas and Elf, played spoons and made Christmas cookies. Well, we kind of made Christmas cookies, they looked more like cookie blobs. I remember how it used to drive me nuts the way they never used to look like Christmas cookies, but I've chilled out a lot since then :-) We had fun making every funky color of frosting imaginable. It was a cheap night and fun was had by all. I don't think I'll ever get tired of hanging out with kids. I think sometimes we make events too complicated when in reality they are longing for simple traditions.

Crashing Like A Freight Train

I taught at Oxygen last week and was high (spiritually) as a kite afterwards for a couple of hours and then it happened ... 1/2 way between Atlanta and Nashville on my drive back to Indiana ... the adrenaline, or whatever it is, dropped so fast it made my eyes lids feel like they had weights in them. When I began to slap myself to stay awake, after singing at the top of my lungs, after drumming on the steering wheel, I knew it was time to pull into the rest stop to take a snooze.

Tonight, after creating the NYLC 09 Exhibitor packet (among other stuff) for three really, really, really long days and getting 280 ready for mailing, I was higher than a kite. My team celebrated by going to dinner and then, not five minutes after we got back, it happened ... the adrenaline, or whatever it is, dropped so fast I had to lay down. This time I couldn't sleep, but just laid there with the lights out for a 1/2 hour. Then, I celebrated by eating 1/2 a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. I'm better now and ready for round two ... Cadre Catch Up! However, that whole adrenaline drop is a trip.

Plates Spinning

Between the economic crunch, being at a smaller church (around 800-1,000), need, skill and whatnot, I wear a lot of hats (like nine of them). With many of them, I simply serve as a direct report and have fantastic people to do the detailed work required in the various departments.

Most would say I'm stupid for even trying to juggle all the balls in the air, but (for now) I find it interesting and challenging (and sometimes tiring). It is definitely stretching my ability to both lead and manage. As I processed with Mike on the way home from Indiana and alone with just myself late this evening, here are nine questions I think I am going ot ask myself at the beginning of each day ... and then again at the end of each day in terms of evaluating how I did.

THE BIG NINE
1. What meetings need to take place (and how long do they really need to be)?
2. Who can be entrusted with a hand off (empowered/delegated to/etc.)?
3. What do I need to do so those around me can do what they need to do?
4. What needs inspected/reviewed/reminded about?
5. What deadlines are fast approaching (that are likely to bite me)?
6. Who can I encourage and/or coach a little today?
7. Are there any systems that can be established to make this whole thing run smoother?
8. What must I do that no one else can?
9. Have I ripped off Jesus today?

Honestly, I think nine are too many ... but I will try them out and see what works.

You know ... they're just Northern

I had so much fun just hanging out with James and Brittany tonight. All the students had the day off, but James and Brit came into work since we're heading into a six day MC weekend and, frankly, there's things that just need to get done. I'm proud of them and their work ethic.

Anyway, we took some time to chill over dinner and I got the biggest laugh of my day when Brittany said, "you know, they're just northern." What was so funny was that no explanation was needed. Having lived in the south for 17 months now, I can honestly say they are just NATURALLY more friendly and loving. No disrespect to the Northern'ers meant, especially since I am one of them. But, if there was one thing I wasn't used to when I got here, it's the Southern hospitality ... I get it and, hopefully, one day got it.

Am I Doing Ok?

I had a friend step into my office today and ask that question, "Am I doing ok?" An unintentional comment was said by a staff member that stung. Understandably, it lead to the question, "Am I doing ok?" My resonding answer was "By all means, yes!" ... then I added the "but..."

He's in a very unique line of work that people don't necessarily understand all the hours it takes to perform his job, nor do they understand all the "side jobs" he gets asked to do "real quick that will only take a second." Nothing only takes a second, nor a minute.

So, my advice to him was to journal/log what he does each day ... not second by second, but the chunks that take awhile. I warned him though that most people give up on the process rather quickly because it's incredibly revealing...

1. They realize they really are wasting a lot of time
2. They realize there is a lot of stuff they should be delegating and empowering others to do.
3. They can only account for about 6 of the 8 hours.

All of that is hard to swallow. I challenged him to fight though it. We'll see what happens.

That's Our Girl

Next week marks the one year death of her great grandpa (my dad). This little girl (my great niece) will never know the hope that she brought our family in the middle of the darkness. For two years running, she'll rank #1 for what I'm most thankful for this holiday season.

She softens hearts with her giggles.
She reminds us of her daddy (my nephew) with her slow growing baby hair.
She brings out the tenderness in her grandpa (my brother).
She reminds us that God is still on the throne.

Happy Birthday Sis

Actually your birthday ended seven minutes ago, but I thought about you a lot today. Hope you enjoyed the call from Jeanne this morning. Only for you! I love you.

Bubba Smith

Bubba Smith was one of the AMAZING 39 youth pastors at the Cadre this week. He is way cool. I loved what he wrote about the Cadre. You can read it here.

Levels of Grace

The conversations around here have centered around GRACE these last few days. I had an apartment blow it on cleaning before moving out for the Cadre (a couple apartments move out and spend the night with other students so youth pastors can move in). Their RA, who is an AMAZING young man, did a great job of trying to cover for them by cleaning the apartment himself, but not good enough.

There is a consequence that everyone was told up front would be the case if their apartments didn't measure up. Not a tough one, but slightly irritating nonetheless. I told them if they didn't do a decent job "they must just want the opportunity to do it again when Cadre comes back in town, so I'll give it to them (ie I will give them a do-over)." Now don't get me wrong, they love, love, love serving the Cadre and give up their apartments willingly. But like everything, moderation on that one is the key. Moving out every 3rd or 4th Cadre is great, every Cadre or two Cadres in a row would be tough.

In regard to covering for his guys, the RA's response was "Judy, I just love my guys." My response was, "I love your guys too, that's why I'm going to hold them accountable. James and Kayla having to clean your apartment is not cool. Me having to still clean more after James and Kayla leave is really not cool." Covering is cool when someone is slammed with work, but when it's the result of laziness ... no way.

In all honestly, I think I would have let them off the hook had the RA's guys genuinely apologized to James and Kayla, but they didn't. I'm a big advocate of a heartfelt apology. It really will cover a multitude of sins in my book. Without it, a do-over is in order. Not sure I'm right on it and in all actuality could poke some holes in it, but that's were I'm landing.

You have to inspect what you expect. And, when your inspection doesn't meet your expectation ... tough decision lie ahead.

Cadre Phoenix

Cadre Phoenix arrived on the scene in full force. What an incredible group of people! While it was a great bunch of days, it felt like I blinked my eyes once and they had arrived and departed. I had a good handful of AMAZING conversations that I won't soon forget. My prayer is that they were marked for all eternity. It was a packed house with 39 of the 40 showing up. To spoil them well, it continues to take about 2 MC/Staff to 1 Cadre ratio. The teams are off the hook. Everything went so smooth, right down to the Thanksgiving Feast.

The only negative part was getting a cold. My eyes are watering as I type and my voice sounds like an adolescent Micky Mouse. All is good though. After my 4:30 a.m. Cadre aiport run (I don't have students do anything before 5 a.m.), covering the financials for the board meeting and 02 small group night at Oxygen, I'm going to to home and go to bed. Life gets easier now for a few weeks. I'm ready for it for sure.

Bite Size

Cadre Phoenix is coming to town this weekend ... 40 strong. I met with the entire Master's Commission (MC) Atlanta team yesterday and just the 20 MC students on the Executive Team today. In the meetings beforehand, I always try to give them a leadership nugget to, hopefully, stick like glue in their heads and hearts. They are bite sized pieces of wisdom, not super profound but if they really get it ... it could change the trajectory of their life.

Yesterday, it was "vision leaks". I talked about how we often have to be reminded of why we do what we do. I had Nick share his letter to Jeanne from his first Cadre experience a year ago. There is nothing like a great story of life change to be reminded of why you do what you do.

Today with the Executive Team, it was "where goes the leader, so goes the people." I told them where they chose to go is where the rest of the team will follow. If they are energetic and have great attitudes (which they do well), so will the first years that follow behind them.

We started out today's meeting with things that have gone well at the Cadres. Fortunately there were many opportunities to reiterate the one phrase, "where goes the leader, so goes the people." Then, we shared a couple of areas we can make it even better. There is none finer than our MC crew. They really are the dream team.

Some Days

There are days it feels like I get absolutely nothing done...now I know why. Yesterday was one of those days. Then I realized I sent 67 individual emails, received 65, had 28 missed calls on my phone (8 of them were from looking for my phone that went AWOL for 24 hours) and a dozen missed text (which would be really low for the day, but most of the MC kids knew I was phoneless). I guess stuff gets done through email, calls and text, but it just doesn't feel like any "big chunks" are knocked out. I love communciation, but as Charlie Brown would say..."Good Grief."

Notes from Ten Thousand Horses by John Stahl-Wert / Ken Jennings

TEN THOUSAND HORSES by John Stahl-Wert / Ken Jennings
How Leaders Harness Raw Potential For Extraordinary Results

Preface
No issue recurs with greater pain and frequency than that of worker underperformance. Every leader knows that a full engaged employee can made an extraordinary impact on the success of the enterprise. Engaged workers show up with a commitment attitude; they bring their whole selves—all their experience, talent, imagination, brains and heart—with them to work.

The pain lies in the fact that engaged employees are the exception. The majority of workers in every business are disengaged or worse.

If you lead or manage people, you suffer from this pain. A few of your followers give it their all. Most of your workers, by contrast, are disengaged. They do the necessary minimum. They show up on time, do just what is expected, and leave on time. Far from bring their whole selves to work, they bring what they must, and no more.

Research by the Gallup Organization, for example, shows that only 29 percent of workers are engaged at work (that is, they display passion for and feel connected to your company and share their ideas with you for moving the company forward). By contrast, 71 percent of workers are disengaged (they essentially sleepwalk through the day, meeting only your baseline expectations, or in the worst cases they’re actively working to undermine your company’s performance). Do the math: 29 percent are engaged, but you pay them all!

On the other hand, the research shows that work groups that display high levels of employee engagement produce a …
44 percent higher-than-average employee retention rate
56 percent higher-than-average level of customer loyalty
50 percent higher-than-average safety record
50 percent higher-than-average productivity
33 percent higher-than-average profitability


The Climb of Trust
When we believe that we’re the savior of the day, that’s when we’re the most lost of all.
Don’t believe your press.

You assume that staff who don’t perform the way you expect know what you expect, or how to do what you expect. Do they? There needs to be a great deal of information exchange. Lots of communication. It helps to know whether they’re learning what you’re trying to teach them.

Tyler to John on why he had the courage to step off the side of a rock during a rock climb, “You were with me…You were off the edge of the cliff already, a couple of feet down, waiting for me.”

There’s a switch inside every person. The “off” position is “I’ll maybe do what I’m told while you’re watching me. But when you’re not watching me, I’ll do less than I’m told and maybe worse.” The “on” position is “I’ll do everything I possibly can to make a positive contribution. I’ll do it whether you’re watching or not.”

There are actions you must take—daily disciplined, consistent actions—if you want your team to really lock into what you’re wanting and where you’re going.

Personal character comes before professional capability. Always!
The problem with teaching about character, you see, is that you have to have it first.

Engagement Equation: E=T (close “say-do gap”) x 3C (close “paycheck-purpose gap”)

The T (Trust) is the character piece. It’s a multiplier, not an additive. Trust is what the leader gains by being trustworthy, by matching actions to words. We talk about “the say-do gap,” and it’s the leader’s job to close it.

And so we start with trust. Do what you promise. Be what you ask others to be.


Mounting the Challenge
We stress the importance of purpose-aligned goals, purpose-aligned plans and purpose-aligned decisions.

Vision statements are famous for living in drawers.

Our great purpose lives in daily discipline.

I could start the story by telling you what’s wrong with the kids we serve … but when it comes to addressing what’s wrong, you need a very different starting point. It’s not the right place to start. It never is. Around here we start with what’s right.

The first “C” in the Engagement Equation is “Challenge” (preparation stage)

The trust of an unbroken horse is hard to earn.

It’s still about your messages and how they need to match your intended actions. Make your gestures and your actions match in horse terms, and you’ll gain the horse’s trust.

If you can’t understand them or appreciate what it might be like to be them, these horses will never let you in.

A leader must have a (1) clear (2) vision. Why are we doing this? In other words, what’s the great purpose behind this effort?

There’s something about those horses (mustangs) that make ‘em want to run away. Mustangs need room. Mustangs need safety.

There are three parts to a clear “Challenge” (preparation stage) – plans, strengths, roles
Here’s the goal and plan.
These are the talents and strengths needed
Who’s going to do what, by when and so forth.

We spend most of our time on the strengths and roles part? What are you good at? Where will you do the most good?

When we work with the horses and the kids, we receive them as they are. We love them and we appreciate them. That’s our starting point.

When a leader prepares to get something done, he starts by asking people to contribute what strengths and assets they have to accomplish the plan. He fits the strengths together by assigning people to roles in which they can succeed.

These kids don’t gain a sense of worth by accomplishing goals. A sense of capability, yes, but not of worth. They gain a sense of their worth by serving on the teams of their classmates. When they realize that they’re important to someone else, when they serve someone else’s goals and dreams, that’s when the really good stuff happens. Matt asked himself, “How often did he invite any of his sales leaders to solve the leadership and performance problems he was suffering?” It had not occurred to him to do this. He was the leader after all. Wasn’t he the one who was supposed to give the answers? But David had just told him that the rally good things start to happen when leaders become RECEIVERS. Your team brings you value, and you must look for it and learn to appreciate what’s there, instead of focusing on what’s not there.


Directing the Charge
Around here, we call this the “stumble.” You and Alice stumbled, the price of your stumble is incalculable, and you haven’t’ been able to pay the bill. You’ll never be able to pay it, Matt. You need to know this. No heroics and no amount of effort can change this fact.

We receive new information about ourselves from others, and we also receive the strengths of others who want to help us achieve our goal.

Can you receive if you aren’t thankful? We get good stuff all the time, but if we have no appreciation inside of us, all the good stuff will just slip right through our fingers…

The second “C” in the Engagement Equation is Charge (implementation state)

In the implementation state we expect to make mistakes. It’s normal.

There are three parts to a clear “Charge” (implementation stage) – innovate, scan, adjust

Our focus is not having to be right … our focus is on constant learning.

We don’t engage kids through theory. We engage them in real life, real work, real projects

Watching Sara, Matt saw something in himself he never saw before. He had isolated himself. He hadn’t learned to receive—to let other help him. And, he hadn’t learned to RELEASE, to admit in an open way that things weren’t working. “Play it close to the vest” had seemed like strength.

Course corrections are normal. You have to let go of what’s not working … your mistakes too. Move on.

Big dreams inspire people. I motive people – I move people – by telling them a story that makes them want to do something. People love a good story, one with heart, heartbreak and hope.


Leading the Cheer
A goal achievement team could just as well be a married couple as a corporate division.

Am I loveable? People who really understand the grief felt by adopted kids sometimes call this the “primal wound.” You get one of two kinds of behavior. One, the child does things you don’t approve of to test if you’ll reject him. Two, you have to be perfect ‘cause you know that one screw-up and you’re gone!

Aiming in the right direction is one thing. Staying on course and remaining motivated to give your very best effort over time is another thing.

The third “C” in the Engagement Equation is Cheer (evaluation stage)

There are three parts to “Cheer” (evaluation stage) – measure, reward, (re)prepare

Learn to REJOICE

The evaluation stage, when carefully designed to reinforce your purpose and your plans, produces kids who finally start to act like owners rather than unwilling laborers. The celebration (cheer) locks the entire process in place.

Every positive step gets celebrated, every adjustment gets celebrated, and every abandonment of effort that isn’t working gets celebrated. We throw “That Didn’t Work!” parties right alongside “We Did It!” parties. If it helps us make progress, we cheer it.

I can’t explain it, but your credibility as a leader hasn’t been fully established until there’s a party. When you stick to your word all the way through to the party, your followers finally know that you really said what you said, meant what you meant, and want what you want.

Hope springs up from belonging and belonging is experienced in a circle of people who trust and rely upon each other. Each one has something to give. Each one is able to receive.

Home is what we call that place of belonging. When we search for our home, it is belonging we are searching for.

Create a culture of trustworthiness and welcome where it is safe to bring their whole selves to the adventure.

Leaders don’t actually ever engage people. People engage themselves. They do their part if we do ours. Leaders make the difference first—we set the stage

Ten Thousand Horses

I seldom read an entire book in a day. I wish I was one of those that did so frequently, but reading has always done one thing ... made me very sleepy. It almost feels like some kind of disorder that there might be a cure for. Today was different.

I love to learn, so I force myself to read, even though I feel I'm slow at it due to the daydreaming, sleeping and perfectionistic tendences to read ever word that results. So, I picked up Ten Thousand Horses (How Leaders Harness Raw Potential For Extraordinary Results) in the airport on my way home from helping a friend move to Lancing, MI this weekend.

Bottomline, it's great leadership prinicples wrapped up in a story of a leader who visits a ranch devoted to loving and working with kids in the foster care system. None of the leadership principles feel overly profound, but at the same time they are so often violated. It's an easy, easy 120 page read for adults and teens alike. I will post my cliff notes later this week.

Typical Youth Ministry Choices

On Friday, I took my asssitant, James, out to PF Changs with a couple of other MC students that have been blasting it out of the park. After stopping by the apartments, I get a call from one of them telling me there has been a four car pile up and three of them are MC students. Long story short, a lady slammed on her breaks ... MC student 1 hit MC student 2, which resulted in MC student 2 hitting MC student 3, which resulted in MC student 3 hitting the lady who slammed on her breaks. It was all bumper damage (with MC student 1 pretty much losing his). I was about 5 minutes behind them, so I pulled up to check when I found out one of the students driving had an issue with his license that they were in midst of clearing up. They were as nervous as a cat before a shower. What do you do? I've got four MC students by the road (one had another student with them) and I'm supposed to be at the church to help run Cadre orientation within 30 minutes. Everyone else was slammed with Retreat orientation. I call Jeanne and tell her, "I can get to the church or stay with them until the cops show up and see what they are going to do with MC student 2 and their driver's licenses issue, I prefer the later." She says stay. Long story short, they take MC student 2 to the country jail to run some routine checks. I make the hand-off to a support staff who had finished up with retreat orientation and I'm off to pick up the late arrivals for Cadre and the retreat center. I'm still not sure if I did the "right" thing by staying because Cadre orientation just went semi-smooth and not like clockwork. However, if I had to do it over again, I'm not sure I would do anything differently.

Vote

I voted today ... did you? I hope so. In other countries people lay down their lives in order to do so. It's that important!

A great, great weekend

Our retreat was this weekend, it was off the chain. Usually we have a full length drama, but this time around we brought in a speaker. His name was Robert Madu and he was AMAZING! We had the second year Cadre in town to observe the retreat and gather together on Monday for their normal VIP treatment and to download about the retreat. Robert decided to hang out with us for the day as well. He quickly became one of the family and is so hooked on it, that he is going to be a permanent part of Cadre Invictus. Good stuff.

Everyone left it all on the field. After long days and nights of retreat prep, the retreat itself and then serving all day on Monday ... all MC eyes, including my own, were droopy. We ended at 3:30 a.m. this morning and I, in all my brilliance, decided to do the first airport run. Normally, I leave it up to the MC gang, but with the long hours they put in I didn't want anyone to have to get up to do the 4 a.m. run. So after a 15 minute nap, I was in my car heading toward the hotel. I got her to the airport with no problem, but had to have the window down and the music blasting to get home ok. I pulled into my parking space, put the car in park, shut it off ... and before I could open the door, I feel asleep. I don't think it was for long, but got a good laugh out of it.

nylc09.com

It's official! NYLC09 Registration is Cruising! We were out of the gate a little slow, but we're crankin' now! My personal favorite presenters Jeanne Mayo, Ed Young, Judah Smith, Greg Stier and Chris Hill. I'm sure the others will be off the hook, but I haven't had the opportunity to hear them as of yet.

We're enlisting the Cadre to help promote it. My prediction is that we will be sold out by the second cut off date of February 20. Jeanne laughed when I told her and promised a little PF Chang action if it did indeed happen. The world has yet to see what will happen when 8 Cadres (268 youth pastors) get behind her on this. If I was a gambler, I'd lay money on it!

I still need to do some proof reading on the site, but you can check it out at nylc09.com! Don't delay, registration has begun!

Who Are You Intentionally Coaching?

Monday and Tuesday we hosted in Atlanta 36 youth pastors from all over from the north, south, east and west (20 different states). I love that the Cadre dot the nation and, with the addition of two Canadians, hopefully eventually the globe. Cadre 220 was incredible, fun, funny and just plain awesome.


The world keeps getting smaller and smaller. Today, one of the guys, Pete, emailed me and said "Hey Judy, I forgot to tell you...since it's a small world, I know someone who knows you. You helped get him connected back with God. He's a youth pastor in my area. Do you know Ben Stuckey? He said you were the best..."


I love that he is in the trenches in the same area as Ben. Plus, it's great to know you are making a difference.


I love the fact that I get to coach such an incredible team of Master's Commission Cadre leads, they made me smile with their text over the last three days...


James wrote, "I love you Judy! Thanks for caring enough to coach me!!! I will have my phone on loud. lol"


Kayla wrote, "Thanks judes. I love you so much really and I can't wait to learn all that I will from you this year."


Jay wrote, "Judy you are an amazing woman of God and thanks for being a mentor in my life. Love you :)"


Robby wrote, "Hey, thanks for the coaching. It really means a lot that you're willing to do that."

Those were text from about 4 of 15 of the MC students that I am personally and intentionally investing in this year. Between the Cadre, the MC gang and Oxygen, I honestly think I have the greatest job in the world. Things that make it so...

1. As you can see, we say, "I love you" a lot and really mean it. It took me awhile to get used to it, but now would not want to live without it!
2. MC Atlanta's tag line is, "It's a family thing." If you hang out here more than five seconds, you quickly realize that is an undeniable fact.
3. We live and breathe authentic affirmation.
4. We coach hard. Students and youth pastors know the only reason we do is out of the enormous amount of love we have for them. We will do everything within our power to not only prevent them from trainwrecking their lives and ministries, but to set them up for short-term and long-term success.
5. We work circles around the rest of the world. Lazy youth pastors who use the word "balance" to justify their laziness drive us insane. I remember Mark saying, "I don't want to be balanced, just healthy." It marked me.
6. We fight against "favoritism". We honor and coach the individual regardless of what they bring to the table and can "do" for us.
7. We disarm our insecurities by talking about them.
8. The staff is "for" each other.
9. We are genuinely just plain friendly.
10. We have the most amazing friend, mentor and coach at the helm leading by example in every area.

Who Are You Intentionally Caoching? Know they are hungry for it!

Who Are You Cheering For?

We're in the midst of some busy days. I love it most of the time. It was great to pause for the weekend, I didn't check voicemails or emails. It wasn't as relaxing as I'd like, it involved moving my mom and a 5:30 a.m. hospital run with her after her boyfriend of many years colapsed. I wasn't able to call and connect with some treasured friends; however, I did get some much needed sleep. Watching the EMT's worked on Jim while he was unconscious had all sorts of spiritual analogies for me. I will share later. In the meantime, everyone is buzzing around here preparing for the first Cadre that comes in tomorrow and the Retreat and second year Cadre next week. I love this place. The MC gang is off the hook, nailing it in every area. It is a site to behold. I love the opportunity to speak into the lives of the next generation of leaders. You would be proud of the group. I know I am. They make me smile when they cheer for me every time I get the opportunity to speak into their lives, even on the little stuff. Who are you cheering for? It makes a difference, it makes life fun, it keeps them in the race running hard.

Breathe Judy, Breathe

Last night around 8 p.m., I paused to breathe deep. It's been a crazy busy stretch for the last 40 days and it's time to breathe deep this weekend. We've brought in the new Master's students, ramped up the 115 Cadre, brought in our board for our two day annual gathering (which included creating a 170 page notebook, figuring out a field trip and tokens), sent out nearly 300 promo boxes for NYLC to the current and previous Cadre, placed our new MC students in 02 groups after a few meetings, got the NYLC website up and sent out a 70,000 piece mailer, sat through a 3 year audit of our financials for a new mortgage, got the children's ministry into a flow after we transitioned to a new director, pumped out two NYLC promo videos.... I'm going to breathe deep at home in Indiana after I got a cheap ($159) round trip ticket to Indy. The computer is staying back in Atlanta. I'd shut off my phone if I could. It's time to hit the pause button, the first Cadre Advance is a week and half.

In the midst of it all, we went through the Atlanta gas crisis and my shoulder going frozen. The good news is that we now have gasoline and after nearly four days of my shoulder being pinned unvoluntarily to my side (seriously, not sure you could have gotten a thin book between my side and my arm), my shoulder de-thawed. What a wicked adventure.

Those Words Weren't What I Wanted To Hear

I injured my shoulder on Sunday night (I'd tell you the story, but it's pathetic) and all throughout Monday and Tuesday I was in pain and kept losing more and more mobility. I currently can raise my upper arm all of about 2 inches. It felt like someone was continuously beating my funny bone (it wasn't my elbow though, but my shoulder ... and it sure the heck wasn't funny). After 12 Advil and 1 Vicoden yesterday, I went to a doctor today (which if you know how much I hate doctors, is a big deal) who said he couldn't help me, but recommended an orthopedic doctor. Some of his words were "your shoulder is frozen," "it looks like you might of torn your rotator cuff," "it definitely looks out of whack," "corizone shots," and "physical therapy." Ugh! Not what I need right now. I've been living in sweat pants and track jackets the last three days. I never knew how hard it was to get dressed with a shoulder out. So, I declare this "Be Grateful For Your Shoulders Week." Sis, I now know a little bit of what you went through. At the height of the pain, which always seems to be at night, I so wanted my mom. Sad considering I'm 44, but just being truthful. Today, life is better, the pain is manageable, I just can't move the thing. The only exception was when one of the middle school guy gave me this ginormous hug and put his full weight on my two shoulders ... can you say, ouch!

Best Times "In Route"

Some of us have been carpooling lately because of the gas shortage. However, every once in awhile it leaves you stranded. Jeanne had to meet up with her hubby and had no way to get there because she had rode in with Bethany. I volunteered to drive her. Since we both run at about Mach 2, sometimes our greatest times are "in route." Which is kind of funny given that Rey had said that a few weeks ago in middle school ministry ... that his best times and talks were picking up and dropping off kids. Not many people talk about "in route" ministry, probably because it doesn't sound very glamorous and there are no lights, bells and whistles involved. But often times, it is the very place where life change occurs.

Today we were talking about a recent message we had both heard and I got bold enough to say "I don't have buy in with all of that." Then we had a great discussion regarding it. I love having a boss safe enough to share heart, feelings and thoughts with. 98% of the time we totally agree and are so like-minded it's often scary, then there is that 2% where we are at totally different ends of the spectrum. The fact that we can respectfully share, often passionately, our different views and not feel threatened in any way is cool. It definitley makes the journey fun for sure.

Master's, the Cadre and NYLC 09 are in full swing now. Time is so scarce, but I love it. In all of my life, I've never met anyone like Jeanne when it comes to multiplication. She has raised up more leaders and placed them in full-time ministry (equally in the business world as well) ... and through mentoring, coaching and by sometimes just being a "mom" helped keep them there. They truly dot the globe.

Blizzard in the Atlanta

Ok, we aren't having a blizzard in Atlanta, but we might as well have with the gas crisis. Pray for our churches today. The gas crisis is REAL, hopefully it will be resolved sometime this week. If I had to guess, about 90% of the gas stations are out of gas. The ones that do have it, cars are 30-40 deep waiting in line for it.

Churches will take a hit today. Spiritually they can't afford it, that's a given and goes without saying, but financially as well. Anything considered discretionary driving is being drastically reduced. People will not come to church today, so they have gas to drive to work tomorrow. Many churches in the inner city are struggling to make budget as it is, that's after they've already trimmed it down to the essentials, the gas crisis will not help in that effort.

So, pray for ATL churches today and wherever else the gas crisis might be felt.

Gasoline in the ATL

Ok, this whole gas thing is starting to get weird. The two stations, both by the interstate, that have consistently had gas ... the QT by my house and the QT by the church ... were like ghost towns today ... No Gas!

Cadre 2008-2009

We had the first year calls last week and the second year call is today. Just the way the first year was interacting, I can already tell it's going to be a blast. This year's cadre are from 30 states and Canada. Since we busted into Canada, can we say we're international now? (j/k)

Texas
12
Florida
9
Georgia
9
Michigan
9
Oklahoma
9
Pennsylvania
9
Alabama
6
California
5
Arkansas
4
Colorado
4
Indiana
4
Wisconsin
4
Nebraska
3
Canada
2
Kansas
2
North Carolina
2
Ohio
2
South Carolina
2
Tennessee
2
West Virginia
2
Wyoming
2
Arizona
1
Illinois
1
Louisiana
1
Massachusetts
1
Maryland
1
Missouri
1
Montana
1
New Jersey
1
New York
1
Washington
1
Total
113

Knowing their story makes all the difference in the world

We've got a family of five kids in our youth ministry and they are pretty much stair steps ... four of them in middle school. I love them dearly, but they are a little on the wild, unfocused side which can be irritating on ocassion ... that is until I learned their story this week. I'm reminded, once again, how knowing someone's story makes all the difference in the world.

The mom was/is a drug addict. When the twins were born, the doctors said don't bond with them, they aren't going to live ... and if they do, they will probably be blind, bedridden, etc. Although the mom was a drug addict, she called in a woman she knew to pray for them ... and pray she did. The kids turned out fine, once again maybe a little wild and unfocued at times, but fine nonetheless. In the end, all the kids were adopted by the women who prayed for them. I can't even imagine what the oldest was exposed to. I do know they are walking miracles even to have survived. While I will still correct and redirect, I have a feeling both my patience and hugs will be on the rise.

While I get the wonderful opportunity to put my hands to a number of thing, I think my first love will always be middle school ministry. I casted vision for the middle school side of Oxygen to the new MC students today. I couldn't help but realize the passion for the ministry that comes so natural for me.

If you were wondering about gas in the ATL

If you were wondering whether the gas shortage from Ike was real in Atlanta, it so is! 6 of 8 gas stations I passed today were without gas. The other two looked liked a war zone with lines into the street. I think I will fill up about 3 a.m. We use special gas here in the ATL to reduce pollution. Fortunately, the governor just lifted the requirement in order to alleviate the run on gas.

722 and Traffic Jams

Went to the last 722 tonight and Jarrett Stevens did an outstanding job of leading, inspiring and encouraging them in change. The title of the message was Next Is Now! Given that he's probably been asked "What's Next?" a gazillion times, it was the perfect title. He challenged us to go out and be the church ... in the city, on the basketball court, etc. I had heard the saying a million times, you might be the only Jesus some will ever see. I like it, but like Jarrett's wording better tonight ... you might be the only "church" some will ever see. We're in ramp up season and things are extremely busy. It felt good to hit the pause button tonight. It's only Tuesday night and I'm ready for my Saturday off.

A funny sidenote. There was a serious traffic jam when I went home this morning. Here's some thoughts:

You know you are in a bad traffic jam when...
1. It takes 2 hours and 5 minutes to make your normal 15 minute drive.
2. You have time to clean out your overstuffed glove compartment.
3. Even the alternative route was wretched.
4. When the people on the radio say that the police said the accident should be cleared in .... another 3 hours, which was already 3 hours after it had happened.
5. You feel like you need to pray and ask Jesus into your heart again when it's all said and done. If it is possible to lose your salvation, I think I did it three times in those two hours.

We got back from Monday's Opening Chapel at 2 a.m. this morning ... guess what awaited us? A2 a.m. traffic jam ... they stopped traffic on 285 for an hour to hang an exit sign ... ugh!

This Week In Atlanta

I can honestly say I've never been so tired in all of my life as I was at the end of this week. Over the last seven days...

1. Finished up the end of the MC Second Year Retreat.
2. Finished gathering the paperwork to refinance the church. The fact that I did that just makes me giggle and tired. Then, met the finance guys processing it for us.
3. Met with the Cadre and NYLC teams corporately and individually ... that there was a lot of meetings and vision casting. I got tired of hearing myself talk. However, I am so stoked about this year's leads.
4. Helped to transition our super size small middle school group (there were just shy of 50 this week) into two. We let the kids know Wednesday night. It went really well.
5. Made sure the I's were dotted and T's crossed on the 100+ Cadre peeps this year. Got 75 all on the same page for their first conference call on Thursday. They are sooooo fun. It didn't feel like a launch at all. I've never heard two groups more excited about the journey before them. I was already energized, they just fueled it.
6. Ramped up my new assistant. I've been without one for three weeks and it's been killing me.
7. Answered an enormous amount of emails.
8 Got the tokens and MC video ready for Athens.
9. Met with the Children's Ministry Team to brainstorm this week and weeks ahead. Problem solved my analysis of the kids in the room last week ... the fact that 42% of them were junior highers in a ministry designed to only go through 5th grade. We have a problem Houston.
10.Cleaned my disaster of an office and car that directly reflected the 12 different focus' I had over the last three weeks. They were bad, really bad ... but now they're good, really good. Binders organize and save my life. It's funny how cleaning your office helps to put things in perspective and clear your mind.
11. Gently rebuked two of my leads ... one for missing deadlines and the other for lack of follow through. They took it like champs. I soooo love these guys, I want to do my part to make them better not only in the moment, but for a lifetime. I felt my fatigue though when I talked with them. In the moment, I wanted to bite their heads off and had to do a little self-talk to make sure I didn't wound them but inspired them to do better at setting realistic deadlines and doing whatever is necessary to meet them, along with having Integrity Finishes.
12. Was here for MC Orientation 2008-2009 with new students and their parents this morning. It is going to be one amazing year!

After orientation was over, I went home and took a six hour nap. I'm up now ... ready to go again.

Flush the Toilets

A bunch of us were back and Jeanne's house earlier this week for our annual YLC/Cadre/NYLC breakfast. About 20 of us ate breakfast in the living room while Jeanne casted vision for those who have YLC/Cadre/NYLC in their portfolios. About a dozen of them report directly to me, along with six staff members for the Tab and YLC. I'm challenged more and more each day on how to manage the YLC/Cadre/NYLC/Accounting/Media/Junior High/Children's Ministry/Master's Commission worlds. Some day I will probably have to "narrow the focus" but for now I juggle. The funny part is that I can honestly say that I love them all, pretty equally I might add.

After Jeanne spoke, she went to Alisha, Bethany and I to wrap it up. She wanted heart and one thing they could do that would make our lives easier over the next nine months. This is pretty much what I said to them.

"A couple of weeks ago someone wanted me to ask Jeanne a question becasue "I had her ear," meaning she listened to me. I didn't know whether I should be offended by the comment or grateful. I went with grateful. I started "earning Jeanne's ear" about 12 years ago when I started "Flushing Toilets" after our youth ministry on Wednesday nights in the "non-glamorous moments." It is there, vacumming floors, flushing and plunging toliets, emptying trash cans and picking up Skittles into the late night hour to make it look like "we were never there" that I heard Jesus loudest. But there was no accolades in those moments, honestly for the most part no one really noticed ... just me and Jesus. That, however, is where I "paid my own price" (Jeanne had referenced it early).

I think that is where the "Burden of the Lord" really started being developed. I want you to have that for the Cadre, but it didn't just happen and it wasn't just with people. I honestly think it starts by picking up trash when nobody else does, wipping down sinks that you didn't get wet, etc.

My heart for this year is that this not be Jeanne's gig, or Jeanne and Judy's gig, but "our" gig. At the retreat this weekend, after everyone went to bed there was this circle of dirt that everyone trampled in before they ended the night playing a round of Signs. I could have left it for Jordan, Nick, Ann or Jenna to clean up ... afterall the retreat was an MC gig ... not a YLC gig. But it's not, it's "our" gig so I quietly put the chairs away and once again began to sweep.

NYLC is our gig too. As with the Cadre, once again Jeanne and I couldn't and, more importantly, wouldn't want to do it without you. The heart that lies within you is what will set our conference apart from every other...that, along with the price. I am so grateful I work for someone that will give away everything including the kitchen sink. She wants to put everything on the bottom shelf so everyone can reach it. We don't just want youth pastors, we want teams ... so we put the price on the bottom shelf. So, those who are on the calling teams, you will have the toughest job ... it will be fun for all of 20 minutes, but know who and what you're representing.

So, as far as how you can help me this year, remember to 'Flush the Toilets" literally and figuratively in everything you put your hand and heart to.

Xcel 2008-2009 - Middle School 02 Group

Last year we went from 8 to 42 in Xcel, so we'll do our first 02 Small Group split next month. Breaking up really is hard to do, but in this case had to be done. We just left Jeanne's house after an amazing time of planning and prep for the launch/separation. Jeanne also did an incredible teaching on having the "Burden of the Lord" for your kids. She talked with me about it a couple of months ago on a car ride to Athens. It impacted me as much today as it did back then. I truly think the "burden" trumps charisma, leadership genes, lights, dazzle and great events (obviously within reason, burden alone will not help if you're a idiot when it comes to leadership).

It's going to be a great year with our middle school students, home team leaders and MC students. I can hardly wait for the new MC students to roll in next Saturday.

Second Year Master's Commission Atlanta Retreat

We left Thursday morning for MC ATL Second Year Retreat. We rolled into South Carolina about 2 1/2 hours later and are at a camp that is, no joke, very similar to the "rustic" Camp Adventure ... except the spiders are HUGE here. I think I'd take the deer flies of CA over the spiders of SC. There are 40 of us sitting in a square, much like we did at Camp Adventure, listening to Jeanne cast vision for the 2008-2009 year. She's a brilliant communicator, brilliant leader and, most importantly, brilliant when it comes to walk with Jesus! In oh so many ways, she is the real deal. I feel so honored to be able to sit at this table.

Last year I sat in the same square, with different second years, not knowing a single one. This year, I know them all. I get goose bumps thinking of who they were just one year ago and who they are now. In just over a week, these students will help lead and disciple 50 first year students. They have been put in their AC families and are excited beyond belief.

Earlier this evening we had our Creed Service outside where we were given the opportunity to pray for them individually by the moonlight and tiki torches. As I stood out and looked over them, there was both a sense of awe and fear that overwhelmed me. Awe when reflecting how far they've come and fear in regard to the opportunity before me and the rest of the team to speak life into them and lead them over the next nine months. The quote, "where goes the leaders, so go the people" came to mind. My next thought was, "what kind of residue will be left on them after having me around them over the next nine months?" Which of my good qualities and which of my negative ones will they pick up.

Earlier today Jeanne says, "Judy, they absolutely love you, why don't you take some time and speak into them at the beginning of the next session?" Hmmm, what do I say? The only things I could think of were from some of recent late night discussions with Jay. Jay is my Tristan of years ago. He is the guy that hangs out at the office until late in the evening just to chat. The only difference was that Tristan was a drummer and Jay is a sound guru. Here were the "Judy's thought shared with Jay" in recent days.

1. Team Unity. Over the summer the staff spent a week together and the outcome is that we are unified. In most teams, differences divide, but in ours they unite. We will celebrate each other. There is little chance you will negatively infiltrate this leadership team. I challenged them to do the same with their own team of second years. I went on to talk about what makes the Cadres so special. In all reality, both Jeanne and I realize, there would be no Cadre without the MC gang. They are what makes them special. Each time they bring their "A" game and there is this undeniable sense of unity. And that's what we need in MC ATL. MC Atlanta will "be the place to be" if they make it that way. More so than the staff, they will be the ones to create the tenor.

2. Authority and Gratitude. If they learn these two things, they will 99% ahead of their peers. 1 Samuel 16:21 says, "And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; adn he became his armorbearer." Armorbearers lift up. What would that look like if we did that for the staff?

3. Health. 3/4 the staff, including yours truly, is exercising and watching their weight. Health to the body is good and there are all sorts of Bowflex and Jenny Craig commercials that tell us so. But no one talks about the health to the soul that comes with integrity and character. Which, in turn, affects our physical health. If you choose to walk with integrity and character, you can alleviate so much of the worry, fear and stress that plagues so many people today.

4. Your walk with Jesus. The staff at MC Atlanta will watch out for them and, in many ways, protect them by carving out an hour of their day to spend in the sanctuary. But, it's up to them whether they are fully present while there. We'll try, but no one will watch out for you like you. I quoted the verse in John where it says in Him was the life and that life was the light of men. In Him is LIFE and that life is the LIGHT of man. Apart from Him there is no life and there is no light ... remember that!

Later on, we talked about leading people older than themselves (since some of the students coming in will actually be older than a few of them). Jeanne asked the staff to give advice. I referenced a Mayoism, "Don't let your charisma take you where your character can't keep you." I reversed it a little and said, "Your character will open doors that your charisma alone seldom will." The reality is that many of them are a little fearful, not because of their age, but because they don't have the charisma that some of the others have. I told them that if their character is in check, they need not worry, chances are it will earn them the right to be heard. I went on to say that I know of many employers who have hired a person based on their charisma and then regretted it. I know of no one that's hired on character and ever regretted it.

Random Days

Did you ever have one of those Ramdom Days. I don't think today could have been more scattered. Here's just a few of the things I did today (sis, this post is for you since you are my biggest blog fan and like to hear what's going on in my life)...

Proofed and recommend changes to an ad of ours that will appear in Group.

Worked on the Exhibitor Package for NYLC ‘09

Authorized the purchase of a projector and screen in the Kids Church Room.

Celebrated with our Children’s Director about curriculum we’ve selected that is AMAZING! Took a few minutes to be a coach.

Sat in on a mortgage refinancing meeting. Learned a lot, but now have a lot of work to do. Could save us thousands a month, so it will be worth it!

Talked with Jeanne about a monthly newsletter to launch in March. Selected a format that we both liked. I’m pretty stoked.

Saw that one of my favorite MC kids is back (ok, they are all my favorite). When I found out his mom was here, I decided to go downstairs just to tell her how AMAZING her son is.

Found out one of my junior high MC small group leaders needs to be moved to another group because they lost theirs, found out another one won’t be back in the game until December because of knee surgery. Ughhh! It’s all good … it’s all good.

Answered Cadre emails.

Worked on ramping up the next three Cadre groups totaling 100+ (including two from Canada). Going through the acceptance process, sending out the emails, answering the questions, processing the payments and getting everyone on the same page can make your head spin. Glad I had an administrative assistant all summer, so very sad she left … we laughed a lot together. Need the next one to get here asap.

Talked and dreamed with a friend on partnering on some pretty big stuff that I’m trying not to get too excited about, but it’s not working. In all honestly, it makes me want to do back flips. I believe the Cause, the King and the Kingdom will be advanced because of it.

Talked to a great friend about her new job. She’s helping girls get out of prostitution in downtown Phoenix. Did you know the average age for a girl to get into prostitution in AMERICA is 12? That’s nuts. God has taken everything she’s gone through, learned and loves and put her in a unique job opportunity few people are qualified for, much less want. I am so proud of her!

Talked with my sis about her new job. She loves it but feels like her head is about to explode. Told her it took me a year to get comfortable and not feel like I’m behind the eight ball in my new job. I told her it wouldn’t be any fun if we could master our job in a month.

Talked with Chris about Source and YLC edits. Can you say, I am sooooooooooo glad she’s on our team. Thank you Jesus! Pure gold.

Called a couple of youth pastors back.

Remembered where my sleeping bag is … good thing, Second Year MC Retreat this weekend … oh yeah!

Walked 3 miles.

Let Me Not Grow Deaf

We get thanks you's from Cadre members often ... I pray my ears never become deaf to their gratitude, not because of ego but because I always want to remember that what we do is important. We're fortunate we get to hear the "thank you's," most in the trenches of youth ministry don't. One of the guys wrote today...

I want to thank you so much for all that you have poured into my life and my student ministry this year. The cadre came at a perfect time in my life and gave me the extra passion and fuel that I needed to push forward strong on this incredible journey called Youth ministry ... What you are doing , no one else is doing. Please don’t ever stop.

That's my prayer for youth worker's across the nation tonight, "please don't ever stop ... it's important!"

We're a little behind the eight ball on promo, but the website and promotional pieces should be done this week. I'm sooo very excited about NYLC '09 Epicenter! It's March 30-April 1 in Dallas ... turn around twice and it will be here.

The NYLC ’09 Line-Up...

Jeanne Mayo – YLC and YP of Oxygen (my boss, friend and hero)
Ed Young – Senior Pastor of Fellowship Church
Greg Stier – Dare2Share
Judah Smith – Generation Church/YP of City Church (AMAZING!)
Craig Gross – XXXchurch.com
Chris Hill – Speaker and Author
Mark DeVries – Youth Ministry Architects and Family Based YM
Reggie Dabbs – Speaker / School Assemblies
Joel Stockstill – YP of Bethany World Prayer Center
Richard Crisco – Senior Pastor of Rochester AG (Top 5 Influencers in my YM world)
Dan Hunter – Seven Ministries / YP at The Oaks Fellowship
Jay Mooney – National Youth Director
Monty Hipp – C4 Group
Josh McDowell – Speaker and Author
Pat Shatzline – Mercy Seat Ministries

I love the diversity, at NYLC 09 we have…
2 senior pastors
4 youth pastors
1 who rips it up evangelistically
1 who knocks it out of the park when it comes to school assemblies
1 who specializes in family ministry
1 who is not afraid to talk out loud about what no one likes to talk about...pornography
1 who oversees the entire youth ministry of a denomination
1 guy who has been around forever and stood the test of time
…gifted leaders, speakers, authors,

Without even realizing it, we’ve got different…
Ages covered
Denominations covered
Ethnicities covered
Giftings covered

Some of these people are as different as night is to day. I love it! ALL OF THEM ARE AMAZING, but the thing I personally love most is that we have four youth pastors and two senior pastors speaking … people in the trenches everyday trying to figure out how to grow people (and themselves) spiritually in their walk with Jesus.

If all that weren't enough, we have about another 40 people doing breakout sessions including yours truly.

Post Marathon Brain Jello

Jeanne, my boss and friend, never wants anything for her birthday, except one thing ... help around the house right before the Cadre's start up. So, even though her birthday was in July, the gang went over there on Tuesday and we went on a 9 to 5 cleaning frenzy to try and clean up all the dust from the painters, tree limbs from storms that have rolled through this summer and whatnot. I was toast afterwards, so I went home and crashed around 8 and woke up bright-eyed around 2 a.m. I came into work at 2:30 a.m. and left the next morning at 2:30 a.m. ... it was a 24 hour marathon. Is it possible to stay focused that long? I think I gave it a pretty good shot. I got a ton accomplished; however, it's not without cost. Today my brain is jello. Maybe I'll try another Diet Dew for a kick start.