“Thought I would take the opportunity of this week’s blog to give my faithful readers the scoop on what’s going on at Nativity these summer days. Here, in no particular order, are some highlights:
- We are (finally) making some real progress on our Strategic Planning and the subsequent Capital Campaign it will (eventually) require. It is all so complicated that it has taken much longer to sort out than we imagined. But we are, in fact, going to be moving down the path of building a larger sanctuary, providing more kids spaces and increasing parking. As a first step in that direction, we will be clearing the woods just north of our current parking lot to create a turf parking area with space for as many as 200 cars. Eventually this area will be paved, but that is much more complicated (not to mention expensive). The turf lot should be complete before kick-off Sunday (September 8).
- Tom and I traveled this past week to meet with our publisher and his team (they are located at Notre Dame, Indiana, but met us in Chicago). We reviewed the success to date of Rebuilt (very successful) and looked ahead to the release of Tools for Rebuilding (November 25, 2013). It turns out Tools advanced sales are already going unexpectedly well.
- Currently we are in a bit of a lull, when it comes to speaking engagements, promoting Rebuilt. Later this month we travel to Boston for some appearances there; upcoming trips also include Dallas, Milwaukee, Detroit, Rochester, Scranton and Patterson, NJ. Apparently we are going to see the country as a result of the book, which is an honor and a privilege.
- Speaking of travel, as regular readers know, Tom and I traveled to California last month to visit with author and leadership consultant Patrick Lencioni. Patrick has become a good friend and will be joining us for the Matter 13 conference in November. (Registration is open: www.matterconference.tv) I have been reading through Patrick’s books (he has authored probably a dozen of them, mostly best-sellers) on leadership. Our staff is going to start reading and working through his stuff too, beginning in August.
- Speaking of staff, we are in the process of hiring, which is a wonderful opportunity for us. We are looking currently to fill four key positions: chief of staff, small groups director, adult ministry director, and a executive assistant to work with me and Tom. If you’re interested in learning more check out our web site, visit the tab above marked “We’re Hiring” or contact Kellie Caddick in our office (kcaddick@churchnativity.tv). I am so excited about the potential to fill out our staff some more and welcome new members to our incredible team.
- Summertime is always a time for summer projects. Most undertaken this summer are of a technical nature, some others are behind the scenes cleaning up and getting rid of junk (one of my favorite things to do). Some re-arrangement of our children’s spaces should allow us to accommodate more kids, and some tweaking of our video venues will yield more seats.
- We continue to work hard planning our message series for the coming year. I will return to the pulpit in August for a series called “Game Plan.” In September we will be offering a new series called “Breathing Room” followed by “Response Ability” and “Christmas is Coming.” This is going to be very powerful series, taking us through the remainder of 2013.
- Oh, and next week I am going on vacation (Avalon, New Jersey).
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