Year: 2012

13
Sep
2012

What Happened?!?

Never in my lifetime did I believe I would see the church in such a state. I’m talking about the capital “C” church here. Certainly there are churches making a huge impact on people’s lives for the Kingdom and the cause of Christ but the universal church is struggling at best.

My heart is breaking for the bride of Christ. We don’t have to look far to see the church today in serious trouble. We’re increasingly viewed as irrelevant and out of touch. The majority of Americans view the church as nothing more than a social organization that does some good things, maybe, but really has no relevance in today’s world.

How did a group of people 2000 years ago without advanced degrees and none of the resources we have today impact the entire known world for the cause of Christ? And why are we viewed as irrelevant when we are equipped with seminaries, mass media, marketing, and vast resources. Why are we viewed as a nice subculture by most and downright evil by some.

I came across two articles one declaring “More Americans Say They Have No Religion”, and another with the headline “The Coming Evangelical Collapse”.

What has changed? Where have we gone wrong? What must we do to become again the Church Jesus planted?

I have written a book called “A Broken House”. It has been sitting in my computer for almost 3 years and I would like to walk through it with you over the next little bit. I would love to discuss it with you and get your feedback before it goes to print.

Please comment and invite anyone who you think would add to the conversation.

Also I will release my E.P. “I Will Sing” on October 16th. The next few weeks will be a mixture of this conversation and song stories from the E.P. I can’t wait for you to hear it!  You can listen to the first cut here.
 
 

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Posted by Gary in Church Growth, Faith, Leadership, Personal, Practical
14
Aug
2012

I Will Sing!

I Will Sing E.P. Cover

The E.P. is finally finished.

6 songs total 2 totally new songs, 3 new arrangements, and my favorite hymn with a new chorus.

Can’t wait for you to hear it. This week I will schedule the last few things so we can release it the first part of September. Those on my mailing list will have first shot at it and then release to the general public.

Thank you Aaron and Dominick Wagner of the Grey Room in Larkspur for all of your amazing creativity and hard work. I did not have the vision for this that you had. You made it something I can be very proud of.

Stay tuned here as things unfold. It’s the best place to stay informed.

And follow the link if you would like to Subscribe to our newsletter.

Here’s a little teaser for you.

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Posted by Gary in Just for fun, Personal
12
Feb
2012

Retreat in Salina

As we travel back from Salina Kansas I want to capture a few thoughts.

Great leaders attract great leaders.

If you want to have great leaders be a great leader. Your personality type isn’t the issue. We can all learn to be good leaders. Know your weaknesses and fill your team with people who love to do what your not good at.

There is no substitute for preparation.

Especially spiritual preparation. In order to be fully prepared we must take time. There is no other way. Say no to nonessential things and take the time necessary to prepare. Gods people deserve no less.

We must operate from a position of rest.

Both spiritual, resting in the confidence of your calling and Gods ability to fulfill His calling on your life, and physical. Take care of your body. Exercise and sleep.

More to follow. I’m going to sleep while my son drives.

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Posted by Gary in Personal, Worship
02
Feb
2012

The Cost of Poor Leadership

Last week I nearly lost one of my most valuable team members.

I confess that I am a little insecure, ok maybe more than a little insecure. I need feedback. I need to hear how I’m doing. Even if it’s negative at least I know where I stand. It’s something I need. I’m working through it and trying to gain my worth solely from the Father but I’m not there yet.

Partially because of my own need for it I am an encourager. I think I’m an encourager by nature but the fact that I need it myself compels me to give it to others. I try to give substantive feedback not an empty “your awesome” but encouragement from a place of truthfulness. So when one of my team members said to me “I’m thinking about quitting; I’m just not adding anything of value”, my heart was ripped. This from the person I value most on this particular team.

People need feedback, they need to know if they’re performing up to expectations. They need to know they are valued. Even those who seem to be confident and sure of themselves. And they need it from those who have been entrusted with leading them.

I apologized for not communicating how valuable they are and pointed out specific things they were bringing and how it made the whole better. I think it helped in the short term but I need to be mindful of how big a need this is for nearly everyone and not take people for granted.

The Bible is clear about how we should act as leaders. Acts 20:28 says, Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock , among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

The cost of poor leadership is very high. If your lacking in resource ask yourself if you are stewarding God’s people as well as you should. It might unlock the storehouse.

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Posted by Gary in Church Growth, Leadership
21
Jan
2012

Exciting News!

Well at least for me.

I’ve hesitated to talk to you about this because I’ve been talking about having a book available for going on 3 years now, which is still in the works by the way, so I didn’t want to talk about this until it was a done deal.

About a month ago I began working on an EP with some amazing people at The Grey Room studio in Larkspur Colorado. These guys are very creative, Kingdom minded, and full of vision. I’m so excited for you to hear these songs.

The E.P. will be six or seven songs. We have four tracked so far. Faithful One is pretty true to the original with a full band, I Will Sing has a new chorus and we’ve added a bridge, You Pursue Me is still stripped down and worshipful, and last week the equipment wasn’t working so we decided to write. This Thursday we tracked the song. It talks about the wilderness I’ve been in the last, seems like forever, and the truth of where my faithful, loving Father has been the whole time. So excited about how this is coming together. The other two or three songs are still to be decided.

I spoke to Aaron and Dominick about the project just before Christmas and they agreed to let me work on one song at a time until the money came in. In a matter of about 3 weeks all but a few $100.00 came in incredible unexpected ways. This is going to happen and hopefully in the next 60 – 90 days.

I’ll keep you posted as we get closer. Please pray for us as we  decide what the final few songs should be and prepare to do the final vocal tracking.

Thank you for being a faithful friend.

More pictures here.

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Posted by Gary in Just for fun, Personal