The Leadership Blog Interview: Greg Surratt

Greg Surratt

Bio: Greg Surrat is Senior Pastor of Seacoast Church. Seacoast Church is #77 of the 100 Largest Churches in the U.S. with over 7,000 in weekly attendance and is ranked #28 of the 100 Fastest Growing Churches in the U.S.

Church: Seacoast Church
Blog: gregsurratt.typepad.com


The Leadership Blog Interview
1. What gives you the greatest joy in being a leader?
Greg: "Lifechange! Someone coming to Christ...someone growing in their faith...someone becoming a better leader, spouse, parent...lifechange."

2. What is your biggest pet peeve as a leader?
Greg: "Top down management! Key quote around Seacoast - "We support a world that we help to create"...conversely, if they didn't help create it, they probably won't support it."

3. Who made the biggest influence in your life as a leader?
Greg: "My grandfather E.L. Surratt...(church planting is a great calling), my father Hubert Surratt...(integrity matters as a pastor, it's not about the money), my uncle Norman Surratt...(believing in the vision of the little guy), Fred Richard...(leadership is about making tough choices that impact others lives), John Maxwell...(adding value to those around you), Bill Hybels...(lost people matter to God), Rick Warren...(church can be fun, the power of focus), Bob Buford...(invest strategically in the kingdom)"

4. What books have changed your life?
Greg: "In the early years: All Originality Makes a Dull Church, The Master Plan of Evangelism"

"More recent years: Purpose Driven Church, The Life Giving Church, The GE Work-Out, The Leadership Pipeline, Organizing Genius"

"Obviously: Nehemiah, the story of David, Paul, anything about Jesus "

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?
Greg: "Staying real, relevant, and useful in the Kingdom of God"

6. What goals do you have as a leader?
Greg: "Keep doing what I'm doing until I can stand before and God and hear, "Good job, welcome home"I'd like to influence the conversation on what the church might look like in the next few years."

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Greg: "I think future years will be about investing in the next generation of world changers...that floats my boat."

Thanks Greg for a great interview. I love the quote, "We support a world that we help to create"...conversely, if they didn't help create it, they probably won't support it." I also have a few new books to add to my wishlist.