Curt Seaburg.com

Surround Yourself with Really Smart People

This past Sunday, I gathered together with a cross section of the high capacity leaders in our church.  We've dubbed this group the Future Vision Team.  We talked about, "Where do we see our church in 3,5,10 years and what do we need to do to get there?"

This group, similar to the sons of Issacarr in 1 Chron 12, compare our gifts as a church, overlay that on our culture and project with a "futuristic" projector where we should be in the years to come.  Here's a few items we're discussing in the coming year:

1.   Utilizing technology

2.   Attractive atmosphere, imagery and experience in music, children and youth (added)

3.   Multi-site (added)

4.   Greater Education for Conversation in Relevant Environments

5.   Biblically Sound and grounded - unified in purpose and deed.

6.   Well Known in the Community

7.   Loving and welcoming environment

This list is not exhaustive, but it is a starting point.  This has got to be one of the best thinktanks we have ever done.  If you don't do something like this, you need to.  Our latest assignment is to read "Reveal" and be prepared to give five statements that rocked your world about the book.

Over the next year, we will dissect and dialogue these seven statements and I'm sure some otehrs.  If you want some more info on this team, be sure to email me and ask.  I'll give you a syllabus.  Don't be afraid to surround yourself with smart people ... they can only make us better.

Jesus wears hoodies and drives school buses

Yesterday, our 16 year old (Kiersten) was riding the bus home from school.  It was raining and she knew she was gonna have to walk in it to get home from the bus stop.  She told me that as she was looking out the window, she said, "God, it would be really cool if You showed up."  Then ... nothing happened.  Just before she got off, this one kid says, "Hey, do you want to use my jacket like an umbrella so you don't get wet?"  Kiersten said thanks and got off the bus in the rain.  She took about 20 steps, thanking God for the hoodie when another bus pulled up and said, "Hey, do you want a ride?"  Kiersten looked up with her big, brown, beautiful eyes and said, "Heck, yea!"  She thanked the bus driver (who went out of her way to take Kiersten home) and then took time to thank God, for showing up.  I thought that was REAL COOL!  I wonder if Jesus wears hoodies and drives school buses?  One thing I know, He did on Friday.

Leaders are Readers

What are you reading? Did you know that the average college graduate will read only 3 books the rest of his life? 3 BOOKS! That's it! When I heard that statistic I almost couldn't believe it. I remember years ago, my mentor told me "Be a reader -- readers are leaders." I have a book in every bathroom in our home, I have a book at the office that i take with me when I gotta go (you know what I mean, no explanation needed there.) I even have a book in my truck that i read while I am at stop lights, stuck in traffic or waiting for the kids to finish up some school obligation. Here's a list of the books I'm currently reading:

• Mavericks at Work - by William C. Taylor = If you like Good to Great, you will devour this book!
• Jim and Casper Go to Church - by Jim Henderson and Matt Casper = An atheist and devout Christian tour some of the country's largest and most influential Churches and give a report from an "outsiders" perspective.
• Reveal - by Greg Hawkins = Multi-million dollar research project the reveals the most comprehensive study in history as to why people leave the church and why and where they 'stall' in the spiritual journey.
• Static - by Dr. Ron Mortoia = Why what we say and how we say it makes all the difference in this culture of Mosaics, Busters and Post-moderns.
• Change without Compromise - by Brad Powell = Why churches get in a rut, why people don't grow, why some individuals just settle in. Effecting church change for all the right reasons.
• Quiet Strength - by Tony Dungy - Autobiography of the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and a look at his faith in Christ in the NFL
• Just finished the Book of Matthew in my daily devotions.

Reading is good, but NOTHING can replace the living Word of God as a part of your daily life. It is the most relevant book in history. Struggling for a place to start? What is today's, date? Turn to the chapter in Proverbs and digest it. Proverbs has 31 chapters so there is always one for everyday of the month!

Get reading, and remember, "A mind stretched with a new thought never returns to it's original shape."