It Changed My Life

As I mentioned previously, my brother-in-law and best buddy Josh were in town last week. That's why I've been absent. Okay, and laziness. One of Josh's life goals is to play the trumpet in a Broadway orchestra. And if that doesn't work out, he'll settle for being a leading man in a musical comedy. I love the kid!

When we picked him up at the Baltimore airport two weeks ago, we took him to eat at Chick-fil-a. It was his first ever experience at this Mecca of fast food goodness. I was so excited! As we stepped into the line, I told him, "Josh, this is going to change your life." That phrase became the mantra for the entire trip. Toby's Dinner Theater? It will change your life. Inverted roller coaster? It will change your life. Bubba Gump Shrimp Company? It will change your life. Seeing Wicked live on Broadway? It will change your life. Josh even told the checkout clerk at Cracker Barrel: "Moonpies have changed my life."

I'm hoping there really were some genuine, life-changing moments for Josh while he was here. We wanted to create some memories for him and hopefully be a good influence. The good influence is always the hard part for Ryan and me.

But now I'm thinking-- what has changed my life? Here are just a few...in no particular order...

• Dad asking me if I wanted to sign up for t-ball.
• Mom taking me to see Little Women at the Playhouse in the Park when I was 5.
  
• Mom and Dad taking me to see Les Miserables live in New Orleans.
• Insisting that I go to Murphy High School.
  
• A 7th grade trip to EPCOT Center.
• Choosing the Tigers over the Bulldogs (LSU vs. MSU).
• A phone call from Jeff Sessions on Easter Sunday 1998.
  
• Saying "yes" to Ryan Zempel over the telephone...and then saying "yes" to him to a much more important question later.
  
• Mark Batterson pointing out that being a discipleship pastor is a lot like environmental engineering.

With some, I knew life was being created. For most, they seemed ordinary and mundane. What has changed your life?

I Love Theology 101

In the summer, I lead our Theology 101 group. What a blast! For whatever its worth, we are using the books Who Needs Theology? by Stanley Grenz and Roger Olson and Across the Spectrum by Greg Boyd and Paul Eddy. Last night I asked the question, "Is this class primarily answering your questions or raising new questions?" For most people, it was a mixed bag. For every question that has been answered, more questions have sprung up. I love the fact that we will never come to the end of God. We will never know everything there is to know, which means we can never worship as much as he deserves to be worshiped. I think the primary job of a good leader is to lead people to asking the right questions; not dispensing the right answers.

It was fun last night to examine some of the growth and seemingly backwards growth we experience in our lives. For instance, the more I learn about God, the more I realize there is to learn. And the more I grow in Christ-likeness, the more sinful I realize I am. Maybe we sin less, but we become more aware of our sinfulness. Wow.

God is great. Our faith is full of mystery and miracle. And that should lead us to worship.

Frustration

I'm frustrated today. Pounding my fist on the table frustrated. One of my biggest frustrations is seeing people not fulfilling their potential, and that's where my brain is focused today. Sometimes, that's the result of their own laziness or lack of investment. Often, it's a lack of clear vision or direction. Sometimes, it's just the season of life or circumstances. I'm well aware of the seasonal thing-- sometimes we are just carrots overwintering in the ground so that our potential comes to full ripeness and reproducibility (if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, remind me to tell you the carrot tale). And we've got to be patient and let God prepare our hearts for the ways he wants to use us. But it's still frustrating.

I view my role to be at least partially about helping people discover and step into their God-given destinies, and I need the discernment to know when to encourage and when to kick butt. When to ask catalytic questions and when to suggest slowing down and working on character. When to intentionally and strategically create opportunities and when to just shut up, sit down, and pray.

That's all raw and unfiltered, and I'm not sure what to do with it or what the point of this post is. It's just the overwhelming thought that's driving my prayers today.

Control Issues

I finally figured out why I detest roller coasters. My rabid fear of them has always been something of a mystery to me because some of my previous life goals included fighter jet pilot and astronaut. So it's not the physical sensation. I took enough engineering classes to understand the ridiculous levels of safety controls that are added to these systems, so it's not a concern about losing life and limb. I enjoy rock climbing, white water rafting, and I wouldn't mind bungee jumping, so it's not a fear of danger.

But for whatever reason, roller coasters have always made my stomach queasy whenever I think about them or talk about them. Much less get on them. This week, I think I figured it out.

It's a control issue.

When I got strapped into one of those awful, inverted coasters on Monday, it hit me. This is it. Whatever is going to happen is going to happen. And there is absolutely nothing I can do about it but sit tight and go for the ride. I have no control. The only thing I have control over in the situation is my attitude.

Riding roller coasters isn't the only area of my life where I'm trying to remain at the control panel. And I'm probably missing all kinds of experiences and opportunities as a result. Running after the Holy Spirit requires that we relinquish some of the control that we so desperately want to hold onto. I think this might be a great opportunity for me to examine the areas in my life that I have not completely surrendered to the Jesus.

Where I've Been

I've been MIA for about a week, so I thought I'd check back in and report on my whereabouts. :) My brother-in-law, Ryan's younger brother, Josh came into town last Wednesday night, and we've been having fun ever since. Josh is 14 years old and one of my best buddies. Here's what we've been doing:

On Thursday, Josh was kind enough to come with me to the church office to help stuff bulletins for the weekend. Then, we headed out to the Capitol lawn to watch the annual Capitol 4th Concert dress rehearsal. Helpful DC Hint: it's better to watch the dress rehearsal on July 3 because it's crowded and crazy at the actual event on July 4.

On Friday, we joined up with some friends on the Capitol Mall to watch the fireworks. We set up base camp at noon, but wound up living as a nomadic tribe for the next 9 hours as we ventured from Mall to Hirshhorn Museum overhang and back and forth again to escape the rain. Thank goodness for the quick thinking of Bekah Kitterman to get us a dry spot.

On Saturday, we did nothing. That's right, nothing. Well, I did some work around the house and Ryan and Josh watched some movies. Oh yeah, and then we scared the neighbors with some karaoke. And that was it.

Sunday was church, and then we joined up with some theatre geek friends to go see the ridiculously talented Genevieve Williams in All Shook Up at Toby's Dinner Theatre.

Yesterday, I took Josh to Hershey Park. I don't like roller coasters. They make me feel sick and queasy just thinking about them and typing about them. But I am slowly building my coaster courage. I actually worked up the nerve to ride The Great Bear-- one of those terrible inverted coasters with loops and junk. Whew. I was proud of myself. There's probably a spiritual principle in there somewhere, but I'm too tired to dig it out.

So yeah...that's where I've been. I'll be in and out over the next week.

Baseball Cards

From my earliest memories, I was in love with the diamond. The red clay version with chalked lines-- not the one on the ring finger. When I was six, my life dream was to become the first female major league baseball player. I had other dreams, as well, that included NASA and space stations, Shakespeare and the stage, and even for a fleeting second the Olympics and speed skating (don't ask). But baseball is definitely one of the first loves of my life.

When my parents came to visit a few weeks ago, they brought boxes of old baseball cards. I invested a good portion of my day off on Monday going through card by card, looking for good memories and perhaps a discovery that would pay off my mortgage. While I didn't make any significant economic discoveries, I did find some fun things. Including a 1991 Chipper Jones #1 Draft Pick card from ages ago. And family friend Jim Mason, who hit a home run for the Yankees in his only world series appearance. My old heroes Cal Ripken, Jr. and Orel Hershiser. My higher valued cards like Wade Boggs and Don Mattingly rookie cards Lots of old Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs cards. Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Carl Yastzremski, Reggie Jackson, Phil Niekro, Ryne Sandberg, etc.

I was also saddened to look at my wonderful collection of rookie cards from the 90s- Canseco, Bonds, Sheffield, Sosa, McGwire- guys whose records will always be questioned and careers potentially compromised because they didn't finish well.

I could make some profound spiritual points here, I'm sure, but I'll just leave it there.

I also found a 1981 Lyle Alzado football card. And a 1981 Steve Largent card-- which probably is only of interest to those inside the beltway.

One Thousand

I reconnected with an old friend earlier this week. He was a member of the first small group I led at LSU. During those early years of small group leading, I immediately identified him as a potential leader, but he told me he would never, under any circumstances, lead a small group.

But God had other plans in mind.

He became a leader, and before long, he became a leader of leaders. This week, he told me he had recently had a party to celebrate the fact that he was now leading 1,000 young men- junior high kids, high school students, and college students- in small group ministry. One thousand kids in small group ministry under his leadership. That's amazing! I'd love to consider them my spiritual grandkids. But honestly, I didn't have anything to do with it. Julius didn't even have anything to do with it. It's the miracle of God that happens when we dare to invest in one life at a time.

NCC Protege Program

I'm super pumped to announce the NCC Protege Program! Like most good things we do around here, we stole it from someone else. In this case, Mosaic Church in LA. Those guys are raising up and unleashing young leaders left and right. Here's some information on our program:

The Protégé Program is a year-long intensive spiritual growth, leadership development, and ministry immersion experience at National Community Church. As an NCC Protégé, you will be given the opportunity to learn from some of the most innovative thinkers and creators in ministry, participate in the day to day activities of church staff culture, stretch yourself as a leader, and lay a firm foundation for a life-long pursuit of the passion and vision that God has placed on your life.

NCC Proteges will choose one ministry area— discipleship, media, missions/outreach, children/youth, worship or church planter in residence—in which they will specifically focus their ministry efforts during the year and for which they will receive special training.

NCC Proteges will gain experience in the following areas:

• Attend Learning Labs- make new discoveries in leadership development, spiritual growth, and ministry methods from members of the NCC teaching team.
• Develop a Spiritual Growth Plan
• Develop a Leadership Development Plan
• Serve on the Alpha Team
• Lead small groups and ministries
• Participate in an NCC missions experience
• Serve at weekend worship gatherings, outreach projects and leadership development events
• Build community with fellow members of your Protégé class through weekly study, prayer, and reflection groups
• Be mentored by your ministry-focus department leader
• Attend leadership development conferences with the NCC team

The Protégé Program is a training and proving ground for emerging church leaders. During your Protégé year, you will accumulate valuable experience, mentors, and knowledge that will prepare you for stepping into the next phase of your God-given calling.

If you would like more information on becoming an NCC Protégé, check out our FAQ or send an email to Heather Zempel (that's me).

We'll be getting some FAQs up in a few days that will address the all important questions of what it will cost (nothing, but you will need to work a second job or raise support to cover living expenses for the year), when does it start and stop (September 2008- July 2009), etc.

In the meantime, I'm looking for one good discipleship protege. Any takers?

Fireside Chat: Final Thoughts

I think it's safe to say that I'll be unpacking the Fireside Chat with the Fathers of the Faith event for a long time. Maybe even my whole life.

Some of the things that really stuck out to me were the humility of these men and their strong affirmation of one another.

I was encouraged by their enthusiasm for my generation.

I was challenged to spend more time putting down roots than looking for my ministry fruit at this point in my life-- it's more important now to build character, invest in relationships, and learn the ways of God than to hit the speakers circuit, write books, and count how many small groups I lead.

I desire the relationship with Jesus that these men have.

I feel a new weight of responsibility when it comes to how I prepare to preach-- but it's not a weight of burden, it's a weight of freedom. Not sure how that works, but I guess it has something to do with what Jesus said about his yoke being easy.

I feel more strongly than ever that the best investments we can make are in people.

I recognize that what I need more than anything is a fresh vision and revelation of Christ. Not a vision or revelation from him...but a fresh vision and revelation of him.

Lionshare Leadership Group will be turning the event into a DVD small group curriculum. I'd encourage you to consider leading a group through it at your church. Great way to do some distance mentoring.

Here are links to all of the Fireside Chat posts:

Fireside Chat with Fathers of the Faith
Hospitality at the Cove
Monday Night Sessions
Audience Reflections
Winkie Pratney on Chemistry
Tuesday Morning Session
One Hour for One Minute
What's On Your Bucket List?
Tuesday Night Session
Good Stuff From Ogilvie
Winkie Pratney Session
Dave Buehring Session