Cracking Your Church's Culture Code Blog Tour

I've been reading an incredible book by Dr. Sam Chand entitled "Cracking Your Church's Culture Code." Dr. Chand bring a vast array of experience and knowledge to the subject of Church Culture. This book is based on the premise that "Culture-not vision or strategy- is the most powerful factor in an organization." Dr. Chand presents his seven keys of culture. He also analyzes the five different types of cultures. He describes how you can begin to affect culture by starting with yourself.

This book is insightful. Dr. Chand's wit and humor along with his captivating story telling ability is permeated throughout the book. I highly recommend this to every pastor and church leader. This book also comes with a link to a free culture survey. The survey allows the senior leader of an organization to send out links to that organizations personalized survey. Then, after everyone has completed the survey, the senior leader will receive the results.

Great book, Dr. Chand! I've enjoyed reading it!

Leadership lesson from the Cowboys coaching change

The Cowboys made a predictable choice with the hire of Wade Phillips. Phillips, a mild mannered country boy, was brought into to replace the tough minded Bill Parcells. Phillips is a players coach. The Tuna is no nonsense. Unfortunately, the Cowboys made the choice many organizations make with new hires. They try and replace a former leader by swinging the pendulum the complete opposite way. It works initially, but doesn't last long term.

This is why I want Jon Gruden to be the next Coach of the Cowboys. The Cowboys have become undisciplined and soft. Gruden's tough minded approach would remind people of the days of the Tuna or dare I say.....Jimmy. Now, I know what you're thinking.....isn't that a pendulum swing...the answer is No. Gruden can come down hard, but then you make a good play and he's giving you that Chucky grin. The solution is Balance. Somewhere between Tuna and Wade is where Gruden is. He's a tough minded player's coach.

Regardless of who puts on the Star next season, I will still cheer for the Cowboys. I hope Jerry reads my blog. LOL

What a great weekend!

We had a great weekend! Sunday Morning at Northside was incredible. I have the unique priviliege of leading people in worship. At the conclusion of the worship, our Pastor stepped up and gave a series of calls for people to get their hearts right with God.

As we sang songs of Grace and Freedom, you could see God working in hearts. People literally melting and weeping as God set them free.

The presence of God is very real. It has a lasting effect. Sunday will be a day that I think about for a long time.

What's been happening?

1. School has started. That means the last few weeks of our lives have been crazy. Mady is in second grade. Kenzie is at the Methodist Church Day School.

2. This weekend, we went to Chandler for the annual Fantasy Football Festivities with some friends. We had a great time seeing everyone.

3. We stopped by Sasha's parents on the way home and had dinner. I ended up going home by myself and meeting them halfway the next day to pick up Sasha and the girls.

4. A lot has been happening at Northside....we finished family month the first Sunday in August. Then, we went on one final trip of the summer with the 180 students to San Antonio. We have been remodeling the Kid's area. Mark, Tommy and Jay have done an awesome job. We've had amazing services this month. God is good.

Sticky Teams Blog Tour

Larry Osborne has written a fantastic book entitled "Sticky Teams." I was captivated by this book. Obsborne stated that his "deep conviction that the health and long-term effectiveness of any ministry begins with the health and unity of its primary leadership teams." This book was written with Pastors, Staffs, Boards and Leadership Teams in mind.

One of the quotes that would sum up this book is "A unified and healthy leadership team doesn't just happen it has to be a priority." If you want to make a unified and healthy leadership team a priority in your ministry, then I suggest you purchase a book for every member of your leadership team.

The principles and leadership axioms in this book with help guide you and your team to a more healthy state. I highly recommend this book no matter what stage of your journey that you are in.

Click here to purchase a copy of this book!

Training

Last night, I had one of those Dad moments. After we got back from prayer meeting at church, Sasha had to run up to the school. So, I was home with the girls. I had set the DVR to record the Cowboys first preseason game. I got the girls ready for bed and put Kenzie down to bed. Mady, my oldest, and I had made plans to watch the game together. Since it wasn't a school night and since it was the Cowboys, I had made her the offer to stay up late if she would watch the game with me.

So, for the first time, she sat down and watched the entire first half with me. Kenzie came in when she realized Mady was staying up so we let her stay with us. For the first half, the three of us laid on the couch watching the Cowboys. It was awesome. I want my girls to love football.....it is selfish...I know, but I want someone to watch the games with me. :)

As I was praying this morning, I was thinking about the task of discipling my kids. I've said for years that I don't want anybody leading my kids to the Lord....that's my responsibility. I want to train my kids for life. Their formidable years are their preseason. Emmitt Smith said "All men are created equal...some just work harder in the preseason." My kids can do great things for God, but it is my wife and my job to see to that they are taught the things of God. This is way more important than if they love football. We pray with our girls. We read the Bible with them. We study JBQ with Mady. I know I still have room for improvement. Still, I'm not giving up.....I'm going to train them. :)

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

A Memorable Trip

Sasha and I took several of our 180 students to San Antonio for a week of fun. Here are some of the highlights of the trip!

1. We stopped in Round Rock and picked up my niece, Kelsey. She turned 17 on Tuesday....the day we picked her up. We went to Alamo Cafe and the wait staff sang to her. :)

2. Tuesday Night, one of our sponsors on the trip, Anita, was getting sick. She was throwing up. I was concerned for her, but also concerned for the whole group. I didn't want an epidemic of what she had. She kept telling me that she wasn't contagious. Some of the kids were concerned as well. So, Keith and Anita pull us together and told us that Anita was pregnant. Congratulations to them! We'll never forget that experience. :)

3. On Wednesday, we went to Sea World. I love that place....by far, my personal favorite theme park. We sat on the front row for the Shamu show. We were literally five yards or so away from the whales. It was awesome.

4. On Thursday, we went to Dallas Cowboys Training Camp. It was awesome.....they practiced for awhile. Then, at the end, we tried to get autographs. We went back to area where their bus was. Jason Witten came up....He stopped short of grabbing the football I brought to sign. :) I was so bummed.

5. We spent some time at the Riverwalk and Alamo. I love that area. :)

6. Hanging out with the students.....lots of laughs and memories. :)

Thanks guys for a great trip!