2011 Books

This has become sort of an annual thing for me now. I set a goal for how many books I want to read in a year, and then I keep track. In 2010 I had a goal of 24 books - 2 per month. I didn't quite reach that goal. So I kept that goal for 2011, and this year I nailed it. Here's what I read in 2011:

1. From the top down - Lukaszewski
2. The Next Christians - Gabe Lyons
3. Storylines - Croft & Pilavachi
4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Covey
5. Chuch Smith, a Memoir of Grace - Smith
6. Momentum - Hickey
7. Getting Things Done - Allen
8. The Art of Curating Worship - Pierson
9. Love Wins - Bell
10. 7 Practices of Effective Ministry - Stanley
11. Blink - Gladwell
12. The Divine Mentor - Cordeiro
13. The Principle of the Path - Stanley
14. The Attractional Church - Hornsby
15. Soulprint - Batterson
16. The E-Myth Revisited - Gerber
17. The Making of a Leader - Clinton
18. Strong Fathers Strong Daughters - Meeker
19. Lasting Impressions - Waltz
20. Enemies of the Heart - Stanley
21. Rework - Fried and Hansson
22. EntreLeadership - Ramsey
23. Taking your Church to the Next Level - McIntosh
24. The Thank You Economy - Vaynerchuk
25. The Flinch - Julien Smith (free on the kindle by the way, and a great quick read!)

Without going into detail on every one, my favorites were probably Strong Fathers Strong Daughters, EntreLeadership, and the Flinch. One thing I noticed is that I didn't read a single novel this year (though I guess I did read a couple of the narnia books to my daughter). So I need a novel or two for next year. I always tend to read things I want / need to learn about, but I need to squeeze in a few more just for enjoyment.

So, did you read any of these? What was your favorite read of 2011? What would you recommend make my list for 2012? I've got some work to do - my new goal is 36!

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Why Flashmobs make me cry

There is something beautiful about watching large groups of people do things together. It's absolutely amazing to watch. Think about the organization that goes into something like this, the practice, the hard work, the details.

Have you ever felt like you were a part of something much bigger than yourself? Ever seen the results of a project that took tons of time and tons of people to pull off? I dream about stuff like this. Not dancing to Black Eyed Peas for Oprah per se, but being a part of something epic, something world changing with a group of other people that seems literally impossible.

Who's with me?

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Let's Change the World

Are you ready STORYCHURCH? Today we kicked off our CHANGE THE WORLD campaign by launching a new page on our website. Through it, you can see each of our three major initiatives, videos, and more. While most of us probably won't be giving until Sunday, you can begin giving TODAY online if that's how you decide to give.

For this Sunday, I pray that you come prepared to give generously and sacrificially to help us CHANGE THE WORLD. Here's how this will work: If you are a regular giver to STORYCHURCH, we encourage you to continue to give your REGULAR OFFERINGS in the normal way - through our giving box or online.

WE WILL BE DOING A SEPARATE OFFERING DURING THE SERVICE FOR OUR CHANGE THE WORLD OFFERING.

There are 3 WAYS TO GIVE this Sunday:

1. GIVE CASH in the envelope we provide.
2. GIVE BY CHECK made out to STORYCHURCH with CHANGE THE WORLD on the memo line.
3. GIVE ELECTRONICALLY with your debit or credit card* on a new ipad giving station we will have set up.

I cannot wait to see what God does this weekend! Don't miss it. And while you are at it, invite someone to join you - the Christmas season is one of the most likely times of the year that people will attend church with you. Don't miss the opportunity to invite!

See you Sunday - let's CHANGE THE WORLD!!!!


(*Disclaimer: Please don't go into debt to give. In other words, if you carry a balance on your credit card month to month you are incurring DEBT. If you couldn't pay for it TODAY, then please don't give it.)

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Change the World - KIDS

One of the most amazing things to me about STORYCHURCH is our ministry to kids. On any given week, 35% of our church is under the age of 12! That is a significant number - one that isn't common in church world. We believe that God has uniquely positioned us to reach young families and it is incredibly fun to be a church full of little kids running around. The running joke around our church is that you better be careful about what you eat or drink because people often end up pregnant. In fact, there are currently 7 pregnant women in our church right now (though 1 or 2 could be having babies any day!).

Here's what I believe about kids ministry. I believe our kids aren't simply the future of our church, I believe they are our church right now. Our kids are capable of following Jesus, sharing their faith with their friends, and making a real difference in the world. That's why we don't see STORYKIDS as a babysitting service. They aren't simply watching our kids while we do the real church stuff. They are teaching, training, and releasing world changers. Those kids are learning that God loves them, that we love them and that they have something to offer the world as an active part of the kingdom of Jesus.

The second part of our "CHANGE THE WORLD" offering on December 18 is focused on kids. As amazing as our kids ministry is, they have been functioning with old, even broken equipment and outdated technology. Our vision for our kids ministry is to make it one of the funnest, most incredible experiences of a kid's week. Our plan is to update curriculum, technology, check-in procedures, safety, and to really raise the fun and wow factor for our kids. As a parent of three of my own, I want my kids to LOVE their church and to LOOK FORWARD every single week to being there.

The beauty of focusing on our kids with part of our CHANGE THE WORLD offering is that we are investing in the next generation. Our generosity now will have a lasting impact for years to come.

I hope you will join us for this exciting offering together on December 18. Please pray about how you and your family might give generously to see us make a difference in the lives of others this Christmas.

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