Making a Stand

A friend sent me this story about a couple in Indiana who put up this granite display of the Ten Commandments on a busy intersection. It’s right in front of a CVS Pharmacy which connects to a busy plaza with many other stores in Kendallville, Indiana. It is bolstered on the side by a US flag and surrounded by attractive landscaping.

What effect do you think this type of display is having? Does this infuse a positive conversation into the community, or do you suppose it goes unnoticed? The couple own the property it sits on–and they are looking for property on other busy intersections in Mishawaka and other cities to purchase for additional displays of the Ten Commandments. Good investment? Or waste of money?

Amazing Gift

Picture by Beeson from Jan 2010

For years, our senior team at Granger has focused for a week in January to plan, strategize, and set priorities for the coming year. We find a cabin or house somewhere away from the office, and spend 8-10 hours a day together praying and talking about God’s plans for our future. And every year I am amazed at the amount of focus and unity those days bring to our team and ultimately to the entire church.

Years ago, we would hop on a plane to someplace far away to dream and unify around the vision, and occasionally even our spouses have been able to join us. The last couple of years we have saved money on flights and driven across the border into southern Michigan. The setting has never mattered much–because we spend most our time working. (I will admit, though, I tend to think better when it is 70-degrees rather than 5-degrees!)

The church budgets money for this trip, because the Board sees it as crucial for the direction and momentum of the church. However, we weren’t even sure we’d be able to take a trip in 2011 as the economy continues to stumble here in northern Indiana.

Then, an amazing thing happened. A businessman who does not attend the church and who I have never met, offered us his (very) large home in Cabo, Mexico, for five days in January, at absolutely NO cost. Then, as if that weren’t enough, he said he would also provide all the food for us. Basically, he was saying, “You get here, and I’ll cover everything else!”

It gets even better: Just last week, three men in the church provided the money to cover the flights. That means the entire trip for our senior team and spouses to work and plan together in Mexico has been paid for 100%. Amazing, right?

As cool as it is, I really think this is just symbolic of what God is getting ready to do at Granger. It has been a tough few years in our region, but the momentum for our future as a community and as a church is beginning to build. I can’t recall a time when I’ve sensed a greater anticipation about what is coming. I believe this is just the beginning, and we are going to begin to see God bless individuals, families, and our entire church–as we are faithful to Him.

A Prayer Vigil

Two weeks ago a terrible tragedy happened in South Bend, and it greatly impacted one of our church families. A woman named Teresa Blake was still working at her desk at Specialized Staffing Solutions in South Bend. It was 6:30pm on a Wednesday night when someone fired a gun through the window. Teresa was seriously hurt and is fighting for her life.

This has been a traumatic couple of weeks for Teresa’s family, and for all the employees of Specialized Staffing Solutions. The business is owned by Jacqueline Barton, who attends GCC with her husband (Tom) and son (Tommy). I spoke with Tom a couple days ago–this has been a difficult time for everyone.

I’d ask for your prayers for everyone involved. And if you live nearby, I’d encourage you to attend a prayer vigil for Teresa on Tuesday, December 21st, 6:00pm at Beutter Park in Mishawaka.

Changes in the World of Blogging

A study was published today by the Pew Internet and American Life Project on the use of the internet by the different generations. An interesting note about the popularity of blogging:

“Few of the activities covered in this report have decreased in popularity for any age group, with the notable exception of blogging. Only half as many online teens work on their own blog as did in 2006, and Millennial generation adults ages 18-33 have also seen a modest decline—a development that may be related to the quickly-growing popularity of social network sites. At the same time, however, blogging’s popularity increased among most older generations, and as a result the rate of blogging for all online adults rose slightly overall from 11% in late 2008 to 14% in 2010. Yet while the act formally known as blogging seems to have peaked, internet users are doing blog-like things in other online spaces as they post updates about their lives, musings about the world, jokes, and links on social networking sites and micro-blogging sites such as Twitter.”

The report included this fascinating infographic representing how different generations use the internet:

What do you think this means for church leaders and how they communicate with their congregation?

It’s All About Priorities

I’ve been asked many times recently why I haven’t been posting very often to LeadingSmart.com. The bottom line answer: Priorities.

• If you’ve clicked on my About Tim page, you already know my priorities. They are:

1. Faith (my wife)
2. Heather, Megan, Hunter, Taylor (my kids)
3. Granger Community Church
4. Coaching, training and writing for church leaders

• I’m in a season where my family needs my time more than ever–and I’m in love with them more than ever. I’m aware that the clock is ticking on this short window of time with my kids (one of them starts college next fall).
• Mark Beeson has been on sabbatical for the past 90 days, so I’ve had the privilege and honor of being captain of the ship in his absence.
• We are in an intense phase of re-visioning our future as a church. These are the most exciting and scary days of all. It means a simultaneous building project, capital campaign and the creation of new strategies for a new direction. It is requiring much focus and leadership!

So, because of my focus on #1, #2, and #3 — I’ve had to back off on blogging (although my Twitter and Facebook activity is still alive).

I wake up every day asking, “How can I add value to people today?” Rest assured I am still very committed to you and will be back in the saddle with more regularity soon.