The Leadership Blog Book Review

Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders by Earl Creps

The word "missional" is a new buzz word being used by many churches today. Earl Crep explains that "Missional leaders see the world through the eyes of Jesus and see Jesus in the world." This book takes a look at "Off Road Disciplines" used by many "Missional Leaders". What I liked about this book is that it goes against alot of what you read in church leadership and growth books. For example, Crep writes, "The real source of assessment for Christian leaders therefore becomes not the world's bottom line but the Kingdom's top line, the fact that a moment of ultimate accountability with Jesus awaits all of us: "For we will all stand nefore God's judgement seat." The only problem with this book is that the disciplines aren't that rememberable. But if you're an emerging church kind of leader, you will love this book.

Off Road Disciplines: 3 out of 5 stars

FREE Resources!

North Point Community Church (Alpharetta, GA) is offering free downloads of many of their administrative documents. Great stuff. Check it out here!

The Leadership Blog Interview: Dave Browning

Dave Browning

Bio: Dave Browning is the founding pastor of Christ the King Community Church, International. Christ the King Community Church is the 22nd Most Innovative Church in America according to Outreach Magazine.

Church: Christ the King Community Church

The Leadership Blog Interview Questions
1. What gives you the greatest joy in being a leader?
Dave: Seeing people come out of darkness into God's marvelous light.

2. What is your biggest pet peeve as a leader?
Dave: People thinking that the church is about "us" (what I call "arrows in" behavior)

3. Who made the biggest influence in your life as a leader?
Dave: Steve Mason, because he reached out to me when I was out of the ministry and got me back in the game.

4. What books have changed your life?
Dave: The Fifth Discipline by Senge and Seven Habits by Covey.

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?
Dave: Trying to get 50 minutes of productivity out of every hour.

6. What goals do you have as a leader?
Dave: One of my key goals is to get my "span of care" down to between 5-7 people.

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Dave: Hopefully doing what I'm doing now....managing chaos.

The Leadership Blog Review: Logos Leader’s Library

I’ve recently received the Logo’s Bible Software Leader’s Library. I had read and researched the different platforms of bible software and decided the Logo’s was the one for me. It has really revolutionized my devotional time and sermon preparation. I know that sounds like a bold statement, so I want to explain what I mean.

Imagine going into Starbucks or your favorite place to study carrying 400 bibles, commentaries, and books to study. I say 400 books because that’s all I have so far, a lot of people have thousands in their Logos collection! Of course, you wouldn’t do that but now you can. With Logos your library is now mobile. Wherever you take your laptop, your library goes with you.

Here are a few of my favorite features of the Logo’s Leader Library:

Exegetical Guide
All I have to do is type my scripture into the Logo's Exegetical Guide and it begins to break down my scripture word for word. At the click of a button, I can see what my Lexicon, Dictionary, Greek or Hebrew books have to say about each word. I no longer have to have a large stack of reference books with me to do exegesis of a scripture. This in itself will save you a lot time.

Passage Guide
After I have done my initial personal exegesis, I enter my scripture into the Logo's Passage Guide. The Passage Guide then searches the close to 400 books in my library and lists every instance the passage is mentioned. I have every commentary and book at my fingertips. For example, I type in Luke 9 and fifteen commentaries pop up and are ready to read. You can see how this will make your study time that much more effective!

Bible Reading
When I open the Logo’s Home Page, there is a start page and it keeps track of my bible reading plan and a devotional book of my choice. So every morning before I start work, I can turn on the program and there it tells me the four chapters I need to read today to stay on my plan and below it is today’s devotional posted. Plus, all the devotionals and bible ready plans can be imported and customized.

Expanding Your Library
What I love about Logos is the ability to expand your library with books of your choice! The Logos site has thousands of individual electronic books and sets ready to download for a fee. If you’re doing a series on “The Cross”, go to the Logo’s site and search it for more resources.

Plus one of the best parts is that you can get hundreds of books for FREE! If you buy one of the seven base Logos packages, you get a Personal Book Reader Key. The PBB reader can read any of the hundreds of free books available from sites like Truth is Still Truth. And these aren’t books no one wants but classics and commentaries that are public domain.

The only question I’ve been asked is about the price of Logos. I read a great comparison somewhere that buying Bible Software is about like a mechanic making an investment in his tools that will last him a life time. Invest in yourself and ministry, you won’t regret it. There is a package and price point for everyone and they will set up monthly payments. All the libraries are upgradeable to larger ones in the future.

Logo’s Leader Library – Five out of Five Stars

Integrity in Action

NYC cabbie returns bag of diamond rings
Have you heard about this story? A cabbie is given a 30 cent tip from a rider and then finds that the rider accidently left a bag of 30 diamond rings. What to do? What would you do? Take the diamonds for the cheap tip? What did the cabbie do? He hunted the woman down to return the diamonds!

"All my life, I tried to be honest," said Osman Chowdhury, a native of Bangladesh. "Today is no different." See he had integrity day in and day out and when it came time to make a major decision, it was no problem.

The Leadership Blog Interview: Joseph Girdler

Joseph Girdler

Bio: Pastor Joe is the District Superintendent of Kentucky Assemblies of God

Site: Kentucky Assemblies of God

The Leadership Blog Interview Questions
1. What gives you the greatest joy in being a leader?
Girdler: "As oddly as it may sound, the simple reflection of God’s incredible grace upon my life that He has counted me worthy to be about His business. That actually gives me joy in knowing that He has smiled upon me and granted me such responsibility to share His word, and truth with others.:

2. What is your biggest pet peeve as a leader?
Girdler: "Christian leaders who show themselves 1) unfaithful, 2) lacking in integrity, and …. Oh yea, one more… 3) outright boring in the pulpit. None of us should be unfaithful. None of us should lack in integrity. And, none of us, while we may never be Billy Graham’s, should ever be plain old boring. Surely, a little enthusiasm and passion could ring in whatever we feel led to preach… "

3. Who made the biggest influence in your life as a leader?
Girdler: 1) My family; mom/dad, siblings.
2) a teacher I had in jr high and in high school.
3) The pastor/staff at the church I attended while in college.
4) My mother and father in law, wife, and…even children.

4. What books have changed your life?
Girdler: 1) A Dake Reference Bible given me as a gift from Renee when we were still dating.
2) Charles Swindoll’s -Improving Your Serve: The Art of Unselfish Living, 1981.
3)Evangelism Explosion – D.James Kennedy, 1983. &
4) A little children’s book I used to read as a bedtime story to my kids when they were little – “If I Could Only Choose One…” -

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?
Girdler: 1) Staying healthy in the schedule of ministry, 2) handling crises, 3) balancing the passions and dreams of both ministry & family endeavors.

6. What goals do you have as a leader?
Girdler: 1) to be found faithful to the Lord and His work, 2) to be visionary with the time He gives me to lead, & 3) to be dedicated to my wife, and children.

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Girdler: 1) It may sound too simplistic, but honestly… prayerfully continuing to be sensitive and aware of God’s voice and will, regardless of His lot for me in life. I have found contentedness in wherever He leads me.
2) I would be honored and very happy to still be serving the Kentucky Assemblies of God, working and ministering along side great men and women committed to the Lord’s work in a this state- the state that my wife and I have always called home: The Bluegrass of Kentucky.
3) Beyond that, only the Lord knows. Our family has always had a heart for missions and cross-cultural efforts, international church environments, medical missions… I’ve given it some thought to considering working on a Doctorate someday, writing some books, and doing all I can to laugh and enjoy my children who are quickly growing up… I’m sure, whatever the Lord holds for my life ten years from now, provided he tarries His imminent return, I will love every minute of it and do my best to find myself anointed to serve… It’s a great journey serving the Lord!

Pastor, Thanks for taking time for the interview. It is a joy to follow you as you lead with vision. Thanks.

The Leadership Blog Book Review: Integrity

Integrity by Dr. Henry Cloud
I had read about this book on Tony's Blog and decided to pick it up. This book really challenged me in a few areas that we normally don't see as "integrity" issues. I think alot of people see integrity as just not touching the "gold, girls, or glory". Dr. Cloud states that there are Six Dimension of Character: Establishing Trust, Oriented Toward Truth, Getting Results, Embracing the Negative, Oriented Toward Increase, and Oriented Toward Transcendence. I really believe every pastor and leader should read this book! I'm taking the highlights and I'm going to review them periodically as a personal integrity check-up.

Integrity by Dr. Henry Cloud - 4 out of 5 stars

Tony Dungy: Beyond the Ultimate

Check out this video of Colt's CoachTony Dungy speaking last year after his son's death before the Super Bowl. Also check out Beyond the Ultimate.

Free Mind Mapping Resource

I discovered bubbl.us from Kent and really enjoy using it. Check it out here! It's an excellent resource for pastors who like to mind map their sermons.

Do You Want To Take Your Ministry To Another Level?

I am excited to be able to bring you a very special deal from Logos Bible Software. They have offered readers of the Leadership Blog a 25% discount on the Logos Bible Software if they follow the link from my site, and purchase one of their base libraries, adding the code "LEADERSHIP" at check-out.

Of course, I have the "Leader's Library"! I love it! I'll be posting my review of the software soon and if you have any questions email me at leadership.blog@gmail.com.

The Leadership Blog Interview: Dave Ferguson

Dave Ferguson

Bio: Dave Ferguson and four friends from college launched Community Christian Church, a church that is passionate about “helping people find their way back to God”. This church has grown to 600+ leaders with more than 5,000 in attendance at eight sites every weekend throughout Chicagoland. Community Christian Church was recently listed in the Top 50 Most Influential Churches according to The Church Report. Dave also has a book coming out next month, The BIG IDEA: Focus the Message, Multiply the Impact.

Church: Community Christian Church
Blog: http://www.daveferguson.typepad.com/

The Leadership Blog Interview Questions
1. What gives you the greatest joy in being a leader?
Dave: Starting new things that “help people find their way back to God”. And I love helping other people start new things! I do love it. I love seeing new leaders and new artists developed. I love seeing new groups and teams deployed for mission. I love seeing new celebration services started. I get totally pumped every time we start a brand new Community Christian Church location. And when our NewThing Network starts a new church it is awesome! Seriously, I get an adrenalin rush just thinking about starting new stuff!

2. What is your biggest pet peeve as a leader?
Dave: Refusal to take risks. Refusing to take risk is unacceptable. A close second are leaders who blame followers for the lack of success. I always want to tell them, “If followers are going where they are supposed to go and doing what they are supposed to do they wouldn’t need you!”

3. Who made the biggest influence in your life as a leader?
Dave: I think my Mom had the great influence on my attitude – optimistic and believing all things are possible. And my Dad had the greatest influence on my passion – the church is God’s plan A for changing the world! Another early influence on my leadership was Lyle Schaller who is a neighbor of mine.

4. What books have changed your life?
Dave: The first book that really changed me was Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search For Meaning. It is amazing! Frankl makes the case from a Nazi concentration camp that while we can not avoid suffering we can always choose how we cope with it, find meaning in it and move forward with a renewed purpose.

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?
Dave: Often times the things that make you good also make you dangerous. One of the things that make me good is my ability to work very hard and get a lot done. But driven-ness can also make me a dangerous leader. So, the biggest challenge for me is to know how far to stretch and push Community Christian Church and the NewThing Network. I always want us to be taking risks and not play it safe. I want us as to be a team that is playing to win and not playing to keep from losing. Letting God’s Spirit guide that and not my type-A personality is a challenge.

6. What goals do you have as a leader?
Dave: The purpose statement for my life is: “To be a Spirit-led leader at home, church and in new ventures resulting in people finding their way back to God.” I have a lot of goals that fall under that purpose but here are two of the biggest: First, I want to see Community Christian Church become a missional church of 100,000 3C Christ Follwers. Not 100,000 in attendance, but 100,000 people who celebrate, connect and contribute to the dream of God. Secondly, I want to see our NewThing Network become a catalyst for a movement of reproducing churches. We dream of reaching a billion people. I know it sounds grandiose, but you asked!

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Dave: I mostly think about between now and when I’m 75. I’m planning on living at least that long and trying to accomplish the goals I just told you about between now and then.

Dave, thanks for taking time for the interview! It was worth the wait. May God continue to bless all you do!

The Leadership Blog Interview: Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy

Bio: In 2002, Nelson Searcy started The Journey Church of the City in New York, NY. The congregation has grown from a handful of people to over 1100 in four Sunday worship services and over 1200 in 95 small groups. The Journey is an innovative, multicultural church in the heart of Manhattan. An experienced strategist, coach and speaker, Nelson serves as a regular consultant to churches across America. He is the author of over 20 articles and 30 training resources on leadership, evangelism, church planting and church growth. In response to the growing requests from church leaders, Nelson founded http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/ to provide resources, training seminars and coaching for church leaders. Before coming to NYC, he served as the Director of The Purpose Driven Community at Saddleback Church.

The Leadership Blog Interview Questions
1. What gives you the greatest joy in being a leader?
Nelson: “True life change. Nothing brings me as much joy as seeing people step away from their comfort zones, move forward in faith and really begin living out their relationship with God.”

2. What is your biggest pet peeve as a leader?
Nelson: “My biggest pet peeve is a counterpoint of my greatest joy… It’s the frustration of working with people who say they are going to take initiative in following God and then fail to act on that commitment.”

3. Who made the biggest influence in your life as a leader?
Nelson: "Three men have had great influence on me – Rick Warren, Steve Stroope and Milton Hollifield. Serving alongside Rick, at Saddleback, influenced me in ways I’m still discovering. He taught me to pursue great vision, with a humble heart. Steve Stroope’s mentorship has had a significant impact on my leadership style. And, when I was just starting out, Milton Hollifield (NC Baptist State Convention Executive Director) took a risk on me as a young leader, setting me on the path I’m still walking today.”

4. What books have changed your life?
Nelson: “Before I became a believer, Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power Of Positive Thinking gave me a new view of personal responsibility and self-esteem. Later, God used Billy Graham’s Peace With God to bring me to faith in Christ. As a Christian Leader, The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren and Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge by Warren G. Bennis and Burt Nanus have been a couple of my guideposts.”

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?
Nelson: “I am constantly reminding myself of the magnitude of God’s vision, because my biggest challenge is falling into the trap of thinking that my vision is significant when God’s is infinitely larger. I push myself to grow continuously and dream God-sized dreams.”

6. What goals do you have as a leader?
Nelson: “My goals are simple - To love God, love my wife and son, and not mess up too badly!”

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Nelson: “In ten years, I’ll be right here in Manhattan, having fun and still working hard to fulfill the task God has put on my heart. That is, to give the people of New York City the best opportunity to become fully developing followers of Jesus.”

Thanks Nelson! You've made an impact on me, I've been following you since the days of smartleadership.com. Keep it up!

You need this book...

If you haven't pre-ordered my blogging buddy Mark Batterson's new book, In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day, do so today!

Here's a description:
Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn't chase. You will regret the risks not taken, the opportunities not seized, and the dreams not pursued. Stopping running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path.

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is inspired by one of the most obscure yet courageous acts recorded in Scripture: Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it (II Samuel 23:20-21).

Pick it up today! A review will be coming soon!

Leadership Blog Interview Wishlist

There are several leaders I'd like to see take the Leadership Blog Interview. Here's the ten great leaders I'd most like to do the Leadership Blog Interview:

-John Maxwell (Waiting)
-Andy Stanley (Response: No)
-Mark Driscoll (Response: No)
-Tommy Barnett
-Ed Young
-Rick Warren
-Bill Hybels
-T.D. Jakes
-Joel Osteen
-Billy Graham

If you have any connections, shoot me an email!

The Leadership Blog Interview: Rob Ketterling

Rob Ketterling

Bio: Rob is the Senior Pastor of River Valley Church in Apple Valley, MN which he started in 1995. He has a wonderful wife Becca and two awesome sons.

Church: River Valley Church
Blog: Rob Ketterling

The Leadership Blog Interview Questions
1. Rob, What gives you the greatest joy in being a leader?
Rob: “I have two joys that get me choked up. One is when someone comes to faith in Christ. The other is when we send someone out from RVC to be part of a church launch or to be a Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist or Missionary. We're called to be a sending agency and not a keeping agency so I love it when we've discipled someone and they want to be sent out from us. Ron Wilson, (My best friend from Kindergarten) came to faith in our church and now after 10 years at RVC has been sent out as a missionary to Mexico, that's a home run for me!”

2. What is your biggest pet peeve as a leader?
Rob: “People in the church that pull a flea flicker. For us a flea flicker is when a pastor delegates something to a person in the church and then after a little while the person gives it back to the pastor unfinished! This is usually accompanied with an excuse of being too busy and some lame spiritual excuse.”

3. Who made the biggest influence in your life as a leader?
Rob: “It has to be my dad. He lived it and was the real deal. He was in the military, active in the church and the best employee anyone could have ever asked for. He could have written Maxwell's book "The 360 Degree Leader" because he lead from the middle of the organization. Second to my dad is Bill Hybels, one visit to his church was all it took for me to realize that we could do things differently in our church than we were doing them.”

4. What books have changed your life?
Rob: “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, The Externally Focused Church, The Foxe's Book of Martyrs”

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?
Rob: “Time Management. How do all of these pastors of really large churches answer emails, lead their churches, meet with everyone, spend time with family, develop leaders and maintain their devotion life? Whenever my wife thinks I work or travel too much I have her read Mark Batterson's Blog! “

6. What goals do you have as a leader?
Rob: “To make a global impact. I started with a goal to impact a city, then it turned to a state and I skipped right up to the world. God really hit me with something when I was thinking that "Other churches, the big ones" would change the world and I realized, He wants to use us, we're part of the global plan and everyone has to do their part.”

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Rob: “I would love to be at RVC and the only thing that would tempt me to leave would be to do something with a greater global impact. I've heard it said that following God is like traveling on a winding road, you never know what's around the next corner, so I wouldn't be surprised by anything that's up ahead.”

Leadership Blog Book Review: Chazown

Chazown by Craig Groeschel
I loved this book! I loved Craig's illustrations to bring home the points. This book is a must read. I hope to soon give this to new Christians at our church. It's kind of similar to Purpose Driven Life but I thought it was better. I can't wait until Confessions of a Pastor by Craig comes out in September!

Chazown: 4.5 stars out of 5

Leadership Blog Book Review: Go Big!

Go Big!: Lead Your Church to Explosive Growth! by Bill Easum & Bil Cornelius

I have to admit I was a little hesitant on ordering this book, just because of the title but once I started on it, I couldn't put it down. I've read hundreds of leadership and church growth books but this book was very practical. There are several insights in the book that all pastors can implement quickly. Not that it matters but there was no foreword by Ed Young though, as the cover suggests.

Go Big! 3.5 stars out of 5

The Leadership Blog Interview: Matt Carter

Matt Carter

Bio: Alongside worship leader Chris Tomlin, Matt is the Senior Pastor of The Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, TX, one of the 100 fastest growing churches in Amercia. Matt has been the featured speaker at Houston Metro and various camps and conferences nationwide. He currently lives in Austin with his wife Jennifer and his three children, John Daniel, Annie and Samuel.


Church: Austin Stone Community Church

The Leadership Blog Interview Questions
1. What gives you the greatest joy in being a leader?
Matt: “Seeing those that I have poured my life into flourish in ministry. In some ways, it must be like the joy of seeing your own children succeed in life, yet in a spiritual sense. I firmly believe that God calls pastors to not only to lead, but to be a leader of leaders. Watching those young leaders succeed and even supersede my ministry is a thrill to me. “

2. What is your biggest pet peeve as a leader?
Matt: “Critics. Especially those not associated with our ministry. Some people just love to complain. I love what Theodore Roosevelt said about it once: “It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things.”

3. Who made the biggest influence in your life as a leader?
Matt: “Two men. The first is Greg Matte. Greg is now the pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church, but I met him when he was the speaker for Breakaway Ministry at Texas A&M. Greg is one of those rare individual who is a great preacher and a great pastor. Most of us tend to be one or the other. I learned a great deal from him about how to love my people well. The other is man named Chris Osborne who is the pastor of Central Baptist Church of Bryan, TX and the former president of the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention. I learned from him the power that can come from expository preaching, which I employ in my ministry today.”

4. What books have changed your life?
Matt: : “With the obvious exception of the Bible, I would say that Philip Yancey’s “The Jesus I Never Knew” and John Piper’s “The Supremacy of God in Preaching”, have both effected me greatly.”

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?
Matt: “This year it has been trying to lead well in the midst of personal struggles. This last year I was diagnosed with cancer, and I pretty much mentally checked out for about six months. Trying to maintain focus and leadership in the midst of personal health issues has been ridiculously hard, and one that God’s grace has been amazing throughout.”

6. What goals do you have as a leader?
Matt: “To grow in the area of servant leadership. I believe strongly that the days of CEO pastor are coming to a close. People are looking for leaders who exemplify Jesus and Jesus was a servant leader.”

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Matt: “ Hopefully alive, preaching the Word of God, and pastoring people here in Austin, TX.”

The Leadership Blog Interview: Troy Gramling

Troy Gramling

Bio: Troy Gramling is the Lead Pastor at Flamingo Road Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Over the last three years, Troy has led Flamingo Road Church through a transition in leadership and into a new facility as the church has grown to a weekly attendance of 4,200.

Church: Flamingo Road Church
Blog: troygramling.blogspot.com/

The Leadership Blog Questions
1. What gives you the greatest joy in being a leader?
Troy: Partnering with people to reach their potential...one of the great things about being in ministry is that we get the opportunity to partner with people in so many different areas...Of course the most important being their eternity...but I also love to watch someone reach their potential as a spouse, student or business person.

2. What is your biggest pet peeve as a leader?
Troy: Disloyalty...when people go on the journey and use up resources, you pour your life into them,; and then when they shoot you in the back and say don’t take it personally...how can you not take it personally; it’s your blood.

3. Who made the biggest influence in your life as a leader?
Troy: John Maxwell - his conferences and books challenged me to take responsibility for my leadership and quit blaming the people that I was leading. The statement, “If you grow, the organization you are leading will grow”, changed my life!

4. What books have changed your life?
Troy: Developing the Leader within John Maxwell
Courageous Leadership Bill Hybels
Good to Great Jim Collins
Experiencing God Henry Blackaby

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?
Troy: Focus: With success comes more opportunities. And opportunity can move us toward our potential or distract us from our potential, and effective leaders know the difference.

6. What goals do you have as a leader?
Troy: To add value to the people I lead. To help people reach their God potential. To have a positive impact on the diverse community called South Florida. And eventually to leave a legacy that inspires.

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Troy: Leading Flamingo Road Church into new territory, encouraging and mentoring young pastors, and blogging my journey with friends and family!

I'm Going to Catalyst?

I threw out the question a week or more ago about anyone helping me go to the Catalyst Conference and I received an interesting email today! More details to come soon....