I really missed being at C3 today! It was great hangin’ with our team in Dallas. The conference at Fellowship Church, as usual, had huge impact. I’m still processing everything that impacted me – here are a few thoughts:

• Leadership is often lonely. It’s just flat true. Nobody understands the pressure, weight, and responsibility of a pastor and a pastor’s wife but other pastors and their wives. I think that’s one of the reasons conferences like this resonate with me so much. These aren’t just people talking about making a difference. They have and they are doing it – and they’ve paid the price.
• Angie broke down one of the major truths the Bishop shared that hit me hard here. I’m so blessed to have more confidants than most people ever experience. I have, in the past, mistaken comrades and constituents for confidants – and it cost, but never again.
• “Delegation without interrogation is relegation.” God is into delegation, and to be effective we must be as well. However, delegation isn’t simply passing it off and forgetting about it – it’s making sure it happens. People will not do what we expect, they will do what we inspect.
• Religious church people can’t stand pastors and churches that are really reaching people. The stories of hundreds of people bolting – fighting hard to stop the vision – it’s everywhere the church is really making a difference.
• Angie and I got to spend some time with Ed and Lisa a couple of years ago. The reality of a genuine, authentic pastor with a passion to really take big risks to impact lives is rare. I find many pastors talk about how the church is declining, and how bad our culture is, and which programs they need to implement. However, I find few willing to risk everything to follow God’s vision and calling.
• Pastor Tommy Barnett really challenged me. His Dream Center in Los Angeles in having huge results. He also pastors a major church in Phoenix and dared to say that there have been many times he’s wanted to quit! What?! Wow – I thought it was just me. Sometimes you just get weary in the fight – moving from one battle and victory into another battle – seasons of ministry where the enemy is focused on you and your church because you really are reaching people. How many times have I met with Barry Leathers (Executive Pastor) and said, “Bro, I think I’m done“? In those moments, it’s not even the vision that keeps you going – it’s the calling. I’m doing what I was born to do – I have no other option and no greater joy.
• This vision and passion is God’s – it comes from him and it’s all about him. Because of that he will sustain it.
• It was amazing to see so many pastors and wives from so many denominations and backgrounds gathering for the purpose of learning how the church can be even more effective in reaching people. I really feel sorry for people who never take the time to listen to and think through what leading pastors are sharing because they don’t agree with everything they say. Is there really anybody who you agree with about every single thing?!
• It’s going to be a great week – I can’t wait for next Sunday as we continue the “Ultimate Family Challenge.“
• Ultimately, I’m incredibly blessed!

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