Bball Season is Finally here

Last night I had the chance to do 2 things that I just love:

1. Take my Daughter on a Daddy/Daughter date night!

2. Watch a HS basketball game

Olivia and I attended the Kingwood HS girls basketball games (JV and Varsity) last night, had a blast, and met some new people.

(As an aside: God is always good to use you if you will simply put yourself where people are. I had the chance rub shoulders with a few great families and talk with someone else who I think will open a door to some wonderful ministry - He is so faithful!)

I can't wait to see what happens as the season ramps us!

Here are the Kingwood and Kingwood Park HS schedules for this year:

KHS girls

KHS boys

KPHS girls

KPHS boys

Happy Turkey Day!

Brian

15 Things You Probably Don't Know

adapted from a post I saw on another blog (it made me think...)

1. My favorite running shoe is the Wave Rider by Mizuno.

2. If I could meet anyone in the world, it would be Lance Armstrong. (i'd love to share Christ with him)

3. I don't like cats, but my daughter has really longed for one recently (real conundrum for me!)

4. My PR in the mile was/is 4:33.

5. I own a pair of spandex tights.

6. My kids and I love to build blanket tents in the living room together.

7. I despise the Washington Redskins and a lack of commitment.

8. I've had way to many speeding tickets in my life to count.

9. My biggest prayer is that I am being used by God.

10. I once went hog hunting with only dogs and a knife in Fred, Texas.

11. I accepted Christ when I was 15 years old.

12. My favorite time of day is late, late at night.

13. I absolutely love what I do, adore my kids, and cherish my wife!

More than Dodgeball...this Wednesday!

From time to time I like to check this blog - morethandodgeball.com to see what others are doing in the Student Ministry world.

This week we have a large event for students called Wednesday Night Lights, and as we promote, put on the event, and follow up on those that respond I thought this article was appropropriate: Check it out for yourself http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=4364

I'm ready to see what happens this Wednesday - Jonathan Gray, our HS Pastor, recaps what the last Wednesday Night Lights was like!

headed to a HS football game,

Brian

Kingwood Park Football

Last night Olivia (my 3 yr. old) and I had a daddy& daughter date night while attending the Kingwood Park freshman and JV football games. I already love this school and am expectant of all that God will do in the lives of the students and families there as we move forward in ministry together!

Brian

Teaming Up - Part 4 "Right Hand Team"

As I'm walking through these Team Building posts, I have enjoyed the challenge that Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor LifeChurch.tv, gives to those developing teams for ministry:

"Many leaders have a right-hand-man (or woman). To maximize your leadership effectiveness, I would suggest a right-hand-team.
For years, many churches that grew large enough had a senior pastor and his right-hand-man, the executive pastor. In my opinion, this is a dated and limited model of church leadership.
I suggest breaking the traditional “second spot” into two to four roles. I can’t tell you what those roles will be for you, but I’ll offer some broad suggestions.
Serving alongside the leader, you’ll probably want two to four team members that cover these roles:"

The question I'm asking myself is, who are these "right-hand" individuals in my ministry and on our team? Could it be key parents, key lay leaders, staff memebers. Where do those on our current team fit into these roles? Here are the ones listed on Craig's blog:

An administrative player. You’ll want to ensure someone is capable of building systems, structures, and accountability.

A relational player. Hopefully you’ll have someone who is very good with people. This person could be an expert in recruiting, team building, pastoring, relational problem solving, or some combination of the above.

An innovative player. In the best environment, you’ll have someone who is an idea-person. This team member is often young (but not necessarily). You’ll want to make sure this innovative mind isn’t rebellious and is a team player. When you find a person like this, she/he will be a great asset to your team.

A stabilizing player. Most good teams have a person who can rise above the details and see the big picture. This person may not be the most visible, but is often one of the most important. He is someone who can bring objectivity and stability in the middle of challenges.

On His Team,

Brian

Television shows linked to teen pregnancy

Today I had a great talk with a parent of an 8th grader in our ministry. Learned a great deal! One thing we discussed was that she is looking for an outlet (in addition to her own parenting) for her daughter to learn about sexual purity. Her mom stated that many of the girls in her daughter's school (some of which attend our mid-week Bible study) are already sexually active! This got me thinking...and I found this article I wanted to share: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1256546,CST-NWS-tvsex03.article

Parents who think there's too much sex on TV have good reason to be concerned, we will be addressing this as our team plans on how we will attack this topic with our students over the next year.

Brian

Forming a Team, Part 3 - (Who's on the bus?)

Right now our team is in the process of adding some new members. In the last couple days I have had the priviledge of getting to know a potential Junior High pastor. (a position that is key as we build a student ministry here on the North Campus) One thing that I am asking for is discernment from the Lord on who we bring on. One thing I know: You can always ask someone to revisit joining your team easier than you can ask someone to leave. As Jim Collins says, "You need to have the right person on the bus, and have everyone sitting on the right seat on the bus."

When you’re building a team, you have to remember a team takes time to build. I need to remember that today.

Again, here is what Craig Groeschel Senior Pastor LifeChurch.tv has to say about Teams...

You must be willing:

To fight together. A team that can’t work through conflict will never be a team.

To be loyal to the death. Even though you can fight behind closed doors, you ALWAYS stand together publicly. Disloyalty is never tolerated.

To be transparent. If you can’t be brutally honest about everything, you don’t have a team.

To care for each other. A team that is “all business” will eventually deteriorate. A ministry team must become a family.

To have fun together. I always know a team is not healthy when I don’t hear them laughing often.

Building,

Brian

Calling all Parents!

Tonight we are hosting a parent meeting. My hopes are very high for this first step in truly partnering with parents in student ministry.
Here is what Jim Burns at Home Word has to say about parenting in a busy world:

5 tips to help busy people prioritize their lives
W.P. Kinsela had never published a word before he set out to redirect his life. In his mid-forties, he decided to start listening to the still ...

Partnering with parents,

Brian

Leading a Team (part 2) - Team Leadership

I don’t like committees. Big groups of people rarely make the best decisions and often slow things down.

When I talk about leading as a team, I am NOT talking about ministry by committees.

On any good team, there is a head coach. Someone must be in charge. But if the coach is wise, he’ll build a team of coaches.

In any ministry, I suggest the following:

• One leader who is ultimately responsible for the direction of the ministry.
• Three to seven people who become some sort of a leadership team. (Two is not enough. Three drastically improves the dynamics. More than seven becomes bulky. This could be an advisory team, executive team, leadership team, directional team, or whatever suits your purposes.
• When possible, the people on the team should be a diversified group.
• Each person has an equal voice—but the leader reserves the right to make the final call. (On our team, it has been years since I have overridden the wisdom of the team. I still reserve the right at any time to make the hard call.)

I love leading our team here on the North campus - we had a great meeting to day to dream about the future. Can't wait!

Brian

Leading with a Team

If you are familiar with the guys in the picture above then you know what the picture of a non-team looks like. While The Office is funny my heart is to see God build a team for His Glory, and since this is truly my first real week in the office (on the ground) here at Second my thoughts are all about how to build a team of people who love the Lord and are sold out to students. I love to read a blog by Lifechurch.tv, and here is what they are talking about when it comes to teams and ministry:

If you want to see the potential of a church or ministry, don’t look at the charismatic leader up front. Look at the team the leader has assembled.
Most charismatic leaders can attract followers. It takes a humble leader to attract leaders.
Many pastors won’t build a team because of several reasons:

• Deep down they are insecure. These pastors are afraid someone else will get the spotlight. They will always be limited in their potential.
  


• They are full of pride. Some honestly believe that no one can do it as well as they can. Again, this leader has a ceiling that will limit him until he changes.
  


• They don’t see the value of a team. Because team ministry isn’t often practiced, too many pastors haven’t seen a good model.
  

This week I will be following Craig Groeschel's thoughts on the values (and dangers) of leading with a team.

Have you been a part of an effective team?

Starbucks and Students

Over the next 6 weeks our High School Pastor, Jonathan Gray, is challenging our High School students to raise money in their small groups to help those less fortunate in countries all around the world. He's partnering with Harvest of Hope in hopes that our students can demonstrate God's love in a way that one person, who they may never meet, will never forget. The small groups will raise money to purchase families a well for drinking water, Bibles for those who have none, and seeds for farmers in a 3rd world countries so they can feed their families.

The challenge is simple - we're asking or students to give up their weekly Starbucks run, Wendy's frosty, or a new pair of jeans in order to practice compassion for others and selflessness for ourself. I can't wait to see how God will use this creative and challenging idea, I can't wait to see many of our students get involved, and I'm so grateful to work with such a gifted leader as Jonathan.

hoping for a harvest,
Brian