Do you have that place that symbolizes "getting away?" That one place you really feel like you are free from the phone, email, blogs?
Mine is North Myrtle Beach. Been going there since high school. No matter how long the 15 hour trip feels, entering NMB city limits changes me. As if a drain opens and all the pressure of pastoring runs away. If I can get even one good day of sand, waves, and sun, it takes me to a new level of relaxation. So different from Indiana.
Prayer with God during my getaway time is different, more freeflow, less routine. Books read on a reclining chair while hearing crashing waves are just better. Even when the sand gets between the pages.
Vacation. Needful. Restful. Helpful. I heard a funny one about a kid asking why pastors take off some Sundays for vacation. His mother said if he is a good preacher, he deserves time off, and if he isn't, the church does...
Please take time off. Spend it with family. Really get away. Try to do it at least annually. Maybe the same place or in the same way, to get that same mental release. Stay away long enough to really be away.
Throw in a last minute sightseeing trip like we did. Visit friends who live near your vacation spot (We did that! Thanks Drew and Rebekah for such a great time!).
Time to fire up the engines now. On with pressing matters. But I'm ready. Been "away."
Showing posts with label personal growth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal growth. Show all posts
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Books on my nightstand, desk, in my car (ie. mobile office) or wherever else I recently sat down to read...
Consider going to my friends at www.anchorroom.org for your purchases
Launch: Starting a New Church from Scratch by Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas, Regal
We just attended their Launch Conference in NYC. Very practical how-to...wish I had it when we launched.
Just Walk Across The Room by Bill Hybels, Zondervan
Considers the effectiveness of Engle Scale evangelism effort that sees conversion as a long term process for many, not an event. I like this book because I see God using me to reach people in very similar ways. I just celebrated a spiritual victory when my 5 years of praying and relating led that man to finally start living for Christ! One of many "long-term" efforts since we launched our church.
The Nomadic Church: Growing Your Congregation Without Owning the Building by Bill Easum and Pete Theodore, Abingdon
Wow, where were they when we started organizing? Practical strategies, task and leader descriptions, etc.
Pastorpreneur by Dr. John Jackson, Baxter Press, purchase at www.vqresources.com
Helps me communicate my vision and passion for the local church and church planting to business people. If I wasn't called to be a pastor, I'd probably be working to start a new company or business...
High Impact Church Planting by Dr. John Jackson, www.vqresources.com
Helps me evalutate future church plants and my current vision for our church
Development Barriers to Church Growth: Specific Leadership Challenges at Each Level by Dr. John Jackson, www.vqresources.com
Small booklet that packs a punch! He says in paragraphs what some have had to say in several books combined. Worth the price.
The Creative Leader by Ed Young, Broadman and Holman
I don't understand exactly how he organizes for preaching, but I sure appreciate his challenge to me as a leader to step it up and pull out all the stops.
Perimeters of Light by Elmer Towns and Ed Stetzer, Moody Publishers
Postmodernity explained so that even a novice can start to grasp it.
New Perspectives on Breaking the 200 Barrier by Bill M. Sullivan
go to www.200barrier.org for free pdf download of his previous manuscript and ppt slides
We're in the middle of applying his "10 steps" within our church
Community of Kindness: A Refreshing New Approach to Planting and Growing a Church by Steve Sjogren and Rob Lewin
Pick it up, put it down, pick it up again. Easy read and practical advice for planters.
Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens by Neil Cole, Jossey-Bass
Just started this, so can't say what I think about it yet
The Pressure's Off by Larry Crabb, Waterbrook Press
Only part way into it. Good reminder that the general principles of Proverbs is sometimes overruled by a Job experience. It's all about knowing and relating to God intimately, not about knowing what God can do for us. Thanks goes out to the worship attender who gave this to me.
Consider going to my friends at www.anchorroom.org for your purchases
Launch: Starting a New Church from Scratch by Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas, Regal
We just attended their Launch Conference in NYC. Very practical how-to...wish I had it when we launched.
Just Walk Across The Room by Bill Hybels, Zondervan
Considers the effectiveness of Engle Scale evangelism effort that sees conversion as a long term process for many, not an event. I like this book because I see God using me to reach people in very similar ways. I just celebrated a spiritual victory when my 5 years of praying and relating led that man to finally start living for Christ! One of many "long-term" efforts since we launched our church.
The Nomadic Church: Growing Your Congregation Without Owning the Building by Bill Easum and Pete Theodore, Abingdon
Wow, where were they when we started organizing? Practical strategies, task and leader descriptions, etc.
Pastorpreneur by Dr. John Jackson, Baxter Press, purchase at www.vqresources.com
Helps me communicate my vision and passion for the local church and church planting to business people. If I wasn't called to be a pastor, I'd probably be working to start a new company or business...
High Impact Church Planting by Dr. John Jackson, www.vqresources.com
Helps me evalutate future church plants and my current vision for our church
Development Barriers to Church Growth: Specific Leadership Challenges at Each Level by Dr. John Jackson, www.vqresources.com
Small booklet that packs a punch! He says in paragraphs what some have had to say in several books combined. Worth the price.
The Creative Leader by Ed Young, Broadman and Holman
I don't understand exactly how he organizes for preaching, but I sure appreciate his challenge to me as a leader to step it up and pull out all the stops.
Perimeters of Light by Elmer Towns and Ed Stetzer, Moody Publishers
Postmodernity explained so that even a novice can start to grasp it.
New Perspectives on Breaking the 200 Barrier by Bill M. Sullivan
go to www.200barrier.org for free pdf download of his previous manuscript and ppt slides
We're in the middle of applying his "10 steps" within our church
Community of Kindness: A Refreshing New Approach to Planting and Growing a Church by Steve Sjogren and Rob Lewin
Pick it up, put it down, pick it up again. Easy read and practical advice for planters.
Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens by Neil Cole, Jossey-Bass
Just started this, so can't say what I think about it yet
The Pressure's Off by Larry Crabb, Waterbrook Press
Only part way into it. Good reminder that the general principles of Proverbs is sometimes overruled by a Job experience. It's all about knowing and relating to God intimately, not about knowing what God can do for us. Thanks goes out to the worship attender who gave this to me.
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