Confessions of a Pastor: I Manuscript Preach

I confess; I'm a manuscript preacher.

I've actually been a manuscript preacher for most of my time I've been preaching.  The story most people don't know about me is from college.  After giving my life to Christ I was attending a JC in San Diego.  One semester I had a class that was just too tough for me; I couldn't seem to do well in it and had trouble finding motivation attending.  Eventually I dropped out of my public speaking class; it was the only class I've ever dropped.

What I've learned about myself is I prefer to think off the cuff when it comes to joking and conversing with people.  When it comes to matters of the Bible and Theological topics I prefer to have a guide to help me clearly communicate.  For most of my life my manuscript preaching was more of a guide than a manuscript but recently I've learned how important it is to have a manuscript when you preach.

I know guys who bullet-point their message and others who use mind mapping.
How do you do it?


6/23/2013 - Neal Benson | Worship changes us from Central Peninsula Church on Vimeo.

Family Friday /// Happy Hallow

With school being out for summer we are doing something every Friday as a family!  Last Friday we went down to a little amusement park/zoo with the girls called Happy Hallow.  Happy Hallow reminds me of a smaller version of Magic Mountian mixed with some animals from the San Diego zoo.

All of the rides are built for children.  Some of the rides are designed specifically for kids only.  The first ride we rode was their little roller coaster.  Sophie was not about to go on it but Leah mustered up the nerve to and we had a great time (I'm pretty sure she was terrified the whole ride and my knees were crammed).  After the roller coaster the girls drove the cars with the annoying bells and rode the swings.  We went on the family dragon ride and then they hit the ladybug ride.  I was surprised at how short the lines were for all the rides!

After eating lunch we headed to the playground they have tucked amongst the rides.  Sophie fell down and hurt her knee so we had to go get a treat.  With treats in hand we went down to the little zoo and had a unique encounter with the jaguar.  After the jaguar we went to see the lemurs, honey bees and pretty much were ready to move on.

We meandered towards the entrance and rode the carousel; Sophie rode the Okapi, Leah jumped on the Lemur and I tamed the Ostrich.  After an extremely close race we decided it was a tie and headed over to see the zebu (its a small cow).  We ended up feeding: the zebu, two ponies, a donkey and a handful of goats.  Once we washed our hands we decided to call it a day and head back home!


First family friday was a huge success!

Criticism Bites /// Book Review

Title: Criticism Bites

Author: Brian Berry

Pages: 122

Publisher: Group

Recommend: HIGHLY

Quotable: "Instead, when it comes to criticism, we need to think both practically and theologically about how God can use criticism in our lives and how we can learn to respond to it in healthy ways." Pg. 53

I'm no stranger to criticism... and if your have air in your lungs you probably have experienced your fair share of criticism.  I can recall many times in my life that criticism brought me down, almost left me debilitated.  Brian addresses a real issue many pastors are struggling with in the church.  As I was reading there were a few times I caught myself thinking: "I wish someone would have told me that 8 years ago."  It reminded me of situations I didn't handle so well and helped me think about ways I can improve on my leadership when those situations arise again.

See the previous seven years I pretty much only read books related to seminary but not anymore!  When I got Criticism Bites into my hands I thumbed through it and immediately knew I needed to read this book right away (If you know me, I would prefer to do almost anything before I pick up a book but there is something different about this book).  I put aside the other book sitting on my dresser, cleared my TV watching schedule and got to reading.

One thing I really appreciated about Criticism Bites is what's contained in these pages comes from a ministry veteran.  Brian isn't writing this book to just sell another book, Brian is sharing wisdom from his heart.  The best part is the wisdom he shares its super readable and applicable.  When you read this book you're going to think you're sitting at the local coffee shop talking with Brian over a latte.  Brian provides solid wisdom from someone who has been there and done that.  I could go on and on about how amazing this book is but the only way you're going to really learn how to deal with criticism in a healthy way is to shell out the $12 and start reading.

Bottom Line:  If you have ever experienced criticism in your life, you will know how much it bites!  Brian brings the truth of God and practically ministry experience to this book that I'm going to call a must read for every person in ministry!

Family Game: Giants vs Blue Jays

(Selfie with Leah) 

Last week we went to our first Giants game as a family!  Now it would have been great if the girls sat through the entire game but that didn't happen! Even though it didn't happen we still had a great time (and great seats).


We packed up early and headed to the city.  We parked down the street and walked up the ball park.  It was great seeing Leah's face as we approached the park.  Charity had the best idea as we walked up; she suggested we enter the ballpark dugout to get our girls Panda hats (she's a genius).  We found them right away and also found out we could enter the park right there.  After cutting through the massive crowds we finally found our seats.

Sitting this close to the action was a huge blessing for us; it kept the girls engaged a little more than sitting in the nose bleeds.  The first two innings were the most exciting.  Tores hit a home run that went over the fence in right field and the crowd went ballistic!  I grabbed Leah (who was sitting on my lap) and started cheering with her held high in the air; needless to say she loved every second of that.

(Charity and Leah drinking hot chocolate) 

Eating: cotton candy, pretzels and hot chocolate helped to make our first Giants game even better!  Even though we choose to attend a late game, break all our bedtime rules and keep our kids out super late we had an amazing time.  We walked a few miles, cheered loud, took our kids to rid the coke slide and had a wonderful time as a family.

I'm convinced that spending time, like this, with my family is one of the best investments I can make into them.  I'm not trying to advocate for me to take them to more sporting events but I'm trying to remind myself about how excited they were.  I'm trying to remind myself that getting time with my family, like this, is a huge investment to show them how much I care about them and how important they are to me!

Love you family.

George Muller; Man of Faith and Miracles /// Book Review

Title: George Muller; Man of Faith and Miracles

Author: Basil Miller

Pages: 159

Recommend: YES

Quotable: "I have served Satan much in my younger years, and I desire now with all my might to serve God during the remaining days of my earthly pilgrimage."

It seems safe for one to ask something like: "Neal are you really reading a book about a man from Europe who was born over 200 years ago?"  To which I would answer something like: "Why, yes I am!"

This is a book that I have read a few times and every time I read it I am encouraged.  The short story goes something like this:  George Muller lived a life uncommitted to God until one day God radically grabbed his heart.  George was attending seminary and preparing to lead a church.  Seeing the state of the local church he decided to pray and see what God could do through a life fully surrendered to Him.  George then founded an organization that helped thousands of orphans (yep, thousands).  He sent millions to missions and got millions of Bibles into the hands of people who were far from God.  The best part is George never asked for a penny from anyone and prayed in every dollar.  After he died (over 90 years of age) the ministry continued because he empowered leaders to lead.  This is a man who really trusted in the Lord for everything!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6 

My take-a-way from this book is something different.  This book encourages me to seek the face of God for all my needs.  When I live in a culture that doesn't respect trusting in God it makes me want to see God show up more than ever.  George reminds me that God loves to answer the requests of those who are fully devoted to Him.  I want to be more devoted to Him.  I want to live a life that requires faith; a life that is not answerable by human intellect.

If you're looking for a book that shows a life devoted to God in prayer and faith order this right now!  Next time you think you're prayers don't matter to God think again.

Confessions of a Pastor: I got acceptance issues

This is obviously a tough one to write about because it hits a core need I believe we all have.  You can call it whatever you want to call it: being connected, fitting in, having a place to belong, being cared for and the list goes on.  The bottom line is we all want to be accepted.  I want to be accepted.

I'm not completely sure when my acceptance issues started but I would initially venture to guess it has something to do with childhood.  It could have been: my parents divorce when I was young.  Maybe it happened in Junior High when I desperately tried to fit in with everyone else so everyone wouldn't realize how messed up we are were.  Did it happen in High School when I wanted to be like people who I thought were cool.

I spent hours trying to locate the exact time in my life my acceptance issues began.  As much as I tried to figure out the problem on my own, I decided it was time to turn to Scripture to solve my issues.  Then I found this:

'This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the Lord.
I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,"
declared the Lord.  Jeremiah 31:33,34

After hours, days, weeks, even months of searching I'm pretty sure I found the problem.  The problem that I face with acceptance is I am constantly looking to my left and right for acceptance.  For so long I tried to find acceptance from people who could never meet my needs.  The people I was looking to be accepted by were also looking to be accepted by other imperfect people.

I was looking at the things around me to accept me and I fail to look to the God who created me.

Now I wish that I could say every day I remember this truth... but there are days I fail to remember.  There are days I fail to remember how much God loves me.  I fail to remember that Jesus died on a cross for my sins.  I fail to remember that because He died I don't have to look for acceptance from others but that He accepts me for who I am.

My acceptance issues now lay in the hands of a caring God who accepts me for who I am.

Left Knee

My left knee has hurt for probably the last ten years.  I've seen a few doctors but never had any conclusive results.  About 10 days ago I saw an Orthopedist to get some answers because it has been hurting again.  As I was in the office she said: "I think you have a torn ACL."  I was pretty shocked.  The next day I went in for an MRI (it was a Friday).  On Monday she called me back to let me know that I have a: torn meniscus, a partially torn ACL and a partially torn PCL. 

The ACL and PCL are the two ligaments in your knee that keep you stable (if I heard correctly).  When I got the results I was pretty bummed and super discouraged.  Last Friday I met with an Orthopedic surgeon who took some time reviewing the MRI closely and working hands on with my knee.  He affirmed the results of the MRI but with the hyperextension and pain in my knee he doesn't think surgery is the answer.  Normally he could go in the clean up my meniscus helping with the pain but since there is tearing in my ACL and PCL he thinks I would be less stable (not good when you have two little kids).

There are exercises I can do to help strengthen my knee which I was encouraged by.  When we left the doctor Charity summed it up pretty good: Basically we're waiting for my ACL or PCL to snap and then I will get surgery to fix it.  Now this kinda sucks because I'm still really young and its messing with me mentally.  I can still snowboard, ride bikes, wakeboard, etc… but in the back of my mind I know its sketchy.  

I share all that to ask a specific prayer I'm praying daily for the next year (longer if it takes):

God will you please heal my ligaments and make my knee stable for the rest of my life.

Its a short prayer that I've been praying a lot of versions of for the last couple days.  I appreciate your prayers for my knee, which I know God can heal.  

Beyond Blessed /// I have a truck

Lately I've been processing how truly blessed I am so I figured I would write about it to remind myself of God's faithfulness in my life!

I have a truck!

Not everyone can say that... in fact I could have been in a place where I couldn't say that.  For the last year I've been thinking about selling my truck.  I've had my Tundra for about 6 years now and its been nothing but a blessing to me.  Some times you get a truck that sucks all your money away and sometimes you get a truck that takes you where you wanna be; my truck is the latter.  

Near the end of 2006 I called a great friend and asked him to pray for me; I needed a new truck.  The truck I was driving was having some issues (that is an understatement).  I would it somewhere but when I went to leave it wouldn't start.  Now this didn't happen all the time but only at random times (like when I needed to leave and sit in the Verizon parking lot at 9pm).  I began praying for God to provide me a new truck.  When I called my buddy to tell him what I was praying for he said: "I'm selling my truck and its exactly what you just described you're looking for."

Honestly I was a bit shocked and knew I could never afford it.  So I kept praying for God to give me a truck.  Well God didn't give me a truck but he did put someone in my life who gave me the money to buy the truck of my dreams from my good buddy.  I really like God has given me my truck; that He has blessed me with it.  There are times I complain about gas milage being so bad and times I wish it was a little newer.  I've contemplated selling it many times but in the end it doesn't make sense.  My truck runs great and I feel blessed to have such a reliable truck! 

Thank you Lord for all your provision in my life!

Social Media Break

Lately I've been struggling with the impact social media is having on me.  I have an addictive personality and I know!

I wake up and check Facebook.  I look to see what's going on on Instagram.  I check to see if anyone likes my new video on Vine.  I scroll through Twitter to see what's happening there.  I found myself in a place in life where social media was doing more than taking more time; it was consuming my thoughts.

(Before and after)

When I was meeting with my accountability partner I shared this struggle and asked if he wanted to take a social media break with me.  We agreed to take a break.  Then we agreed to start with a week off.  The next morning I woke up and deleted: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Vine from my iPhone.  It was relieving, it was freeing, it felt good!

Its been just over a week now since I've ventured into the realm of Social Media and I'm ready to wade back into the kiddie pool.  I'm not going to jump back into it full force like I once had.  In all honesty I probably wouldn't be back on today except I synced my phone and it put all my social media apps back on my phone.

Here's the deal: a break without a lesson is pointless.  Let me shared what I learned.

When I fixate on Social Media I miss out
I enjoy people watching and it last couple years I've seen a trend.  People don't talk to people as much as we once did; we spend more time on our phone.  I frequently see groups of people out to a meal and no one is talking, they are all staring at their screen and that makes me sad.  I think I have missed out on things in life because of fixating on Social Media.  Now it may not be big things but when you add all the little things up they become a big thing!

Social Media can become an idol
Don't believe me?  Take a week off Social Media but leave the apps on your phone and you will see.  Its tough to not be on there.  Many of us it has become an involuntary response to scroll the newsfeed.  When you're bored you jump on Facebook or Instagram without even thinking!  Delete Facebook from your phone for a week and let me know where your focus is at; Scripture is very clear we are not to have any gods before God.

I like spending more time with my family than with my phone
When I took time off Social Media I found myself more engaged with my family.  As I write this I'm actually thinking about deleting Facebook and Instagram from my phone again.  I like Twitter but it doesn't consume me so I could keep that; Vine I'm not convinced on yet.  I want to be a present dad.  I want to be a dad who is engaged with his children.  I want to take my wife on a date and not care who comments on our picture.  My family is more important to me than my phone or any Social Media platform out there and I'm going to prove it to them.

Now you have to know these are my thoughts.  You may be a person who is blessed with checking Facebook once a month and not care what's happening on there.  I hope my thoughts are challenging to you as you process your involvement in Social Media.

"You shall have no other gods before me"
Exodus 20:3

Beyond Blessed /// I have a roof over my head

Lately I've been processing how truly blessed I am so I figured I would write about it to remind myself of God's faithfulness in my life!

I have a roof over my head

Not everyone can say that.  There are people who don't have a roof over their head right now.  They live a life that lacks the security that I have.  I have spent time with these people.  I have talked with them outside of 7-11 and made sandwhiches for them downtown.  I have seen their life stowed away in a metal shopping cart.  I have watched them vigilantly watched all their articles in life so that no one steals them.  Just because they don't have a roof over their head doesn't make them any less important to God.

I have always had a roof over my head

Some people in life can't say that.  I am thankful that I've always had a roof over my head.  Growing up in a small mountain community it was vital to have shelter; especially in the winter.  Having a roof over my head I've avoided being abused by the elements and people who may desire to harm me.  Just because I have a roof over my head doesn't mean God loves me more than anyone else in this world but today I want to thank God for all His provision in meeting my physical needs in this life.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 9:1

Eight Months Later

Today marks 8 months since I started at CPC (I actually meant to blog about how life has been here after the six month mark but obviously that didn't happen).

I figured I would break this down and share one big highlight related to: ministry, family and personal that have really stuck out to me since moving.

The Healthiest Church I've Ever Seen
I share this line because this sentence is something I shared with others or have thought about probably every day since we've been here.  I am constantly impressed at the level of health that I see at CPC.  We have a healthy staff.  We have a healthy body.  We have healthy Elders.  We have people that are emotionally healthy, spiritually healthy and get the need to invest into younger leaders.  We work hard and have lots of fun together!

Please don't misread my comment on health to mean that CPC is perfect; we know that we are not perfect.  But from someone who has seen A LOT of ministry I can confidently say that CPC is the healthiest church I've ever seen.  I'm not saying we are the best or the flashiest or the smartest or most creative but we are healthy and I needed a healthy church in this phase in my life.

We love the Peninsula
It's almost like God knew that we just needed to be in this area.  It has been such a blessing being back in California.  Its been a blessing being so close to great friends.  We have been exploring all over the Peninsula and Northern CA.  We have taken trips to Santa Cruz, the City, Half Moon Bay and Fishing in the mountains.  Living on the Peninsula has proven to be a great place for us to raise our family.  Charity has made some new friends here and reconnected with old friends.  Our kids have made some friends they love playing with.

We love that we can walk to the store.  We love that we can take family bike rides to 7-11 or the park.  We love that we have great friends near to us that we can visit and spend time with.  We love that God has placed us in such an amazing area to do life.  I think much of this is due to my completion of seminary but I also think a huge component is due to our location.

I feel like a new leader
Being around the team of people I work with has given me an increased hope in the local church.  I start with that line because I am learning more of what it means to be a person and a pastor up here.  I have people around me that are constantly encouraging me to lead.  I feel like I am getting to use my gifts and talents in new ways to help push back darkness in our world.

Not only has ministry gone well for me but personally I have been able to do some things I enjoy.  Being that Tahoe is about 3.5 hours I've taken a few trips up there to ride (and hit some powder days).  I've been able to see life-long friends up in Tahoe that refresh my soul to see.  I've been able to get a few fishing days in and actually landed some big ones!  I'm learning what life is like post seminary and learning how to be a father which has been a wild journey for me!

If I had to sum up our time here in one word it would be:
God knew that we needed to be here and we are absolutely loving it!  

High School Pastor

Our church is looking for a role that I have a deep passion for!  We're looking for someone who wants to change the world.  We're looking for someone who is passionate about reaching lost students and helping students mature into followers of Christ.  We're looking for a team player that is coachable.  We're looking for someone to join a healthy team and add value to what we're currently doing!

Our church has a BHAG that we're looking to accomplish in the next 7.5 years of:

5000 people worshipping in three permanent facilities on the San Francisco Peninsula by 2020

You can learn more about our vision by watching these two videos:
Vision 2020
Sowing More Seed

We're looking for someone who wants to put some roots in the ground, do the hard work of sowing more seed so we can reap a harvest of changed lives.

I really didn't want to post this job description all over the web but figured it would be good to get it available so my like-minded friends could see it and help us find the right person for this role.  If you're getting excited reading this and contact me!

The Power of a "Thank You"

There is huge power in many of the words we use; some of those have a positive impact while others have a negative effect.

About ten years ago I was interning at a church in San Diego under a great leader who taught me many lessons I've never forgotten.  One of them is: The Power of a "Thank You".

I've actually forgotten how many times we actually did this during my internship but no matter the frequency the lesson stuck!  Sometimes it would be after a big event, after a rough night, for no apparent reason at all or it was after God showed up in a powerful way.  We would get together as a team and write thank you cards (yep, like write them using a pen in our hand on a card made from paper that went in the mail with a stamp).

Now you may be thinking: "that is not some new revelation" and you're right.  This isn't some life changing, new technique that people are chomping at the bit to learn.  This is actually an old school method that shows people how important they are by taking the time to encourage them.

See we live in such a fast paced life.  Our cell phones are constantly alerting us of things.  Our Facebook feed is updating.  Twitter, Instagram, Vine and everything else is grabbing at our attention so when you take the time to hand write a thank you card and mail it to someone there is a lasting impact.

Let me give you some reasons to write a thank you card:

• Someone helped you out when you desperately needed them
• A leader recruited more people for their team
• Someone helped send students to a summer (or winter) camp
• An Elder went to bat for you
• Someone cleaned poop off the bathroom mirror
• Taking a week off to come to summer camp
• A student stepped out of their comfort zone and prayed on stage cause your voice hurt
• Someone stayed late to counsel a hurting person
• People stayed late to clean the church
• A leader went over and above their normal role
• Someone came early and helped you set-up
• Someone preached because you were puking
• You received a gift from someone 

Now I know many of these are examples related to ministry but most of these are things I've written thank you cards for.  So often I hear from people how valued and important they felt when I sent them a hand written thank you card.  If you don't believe me, try it for yourself and experience the power of a thank you! 

Parenting "Don'ts" /// Part One

I figured it was about time to start sharing some parenting "Do's" and some parenting "Don'ts".  Since I think the "don't" list is going to be longer I'm going to start out with that!

The other day I was searching on Youtube to watch movie's with my kids.  Some how I saw this trailer for Iron Man 3 and thought it would be a good idea to watch with my little girls sitting next to me

After my wife came out and pretty much gave me the death look I realized I botched it!  I mean really, lets be honest here.  What kind of dad lets his 3 year old and 4 1/2 year old daughter sit on his lap watching a video clip with a crazy robot man, a plane that is crashing, helicopters shooting a house to bits, people sinking in the ocean and fire all over.  I have no clue what I was thinking but I can tell you I won't do it again.

I now realize how precious my little girls are (more than I did before) and that God didn't create their minds with the ability to handle things my mind can handle.  Little girls; I am so sorry for letting you watch this when you are so young, please forgive me! 

Zero Dark Thirty: Movie Review

Movie Title: Zero Dark Thirty

Run Length: 2 hours 37 minutes

Rating: R

Best Part: When they raided Osama's house

My Thoughts

I rented Zero Dark Thirty from Redbox the other night and watched it by myself.  I heard a whole bunch of chatter about the movie and figured I needed to watch it (honestly I love war movies and this fit that type).

My honest thought is the movie was amazing!  Now that I've said the movie was amazing I have to add that it could have been 30 minutes shorter.  The movie starts out strong but graphic with a torture scene.  It goes through years of incidents quite well but then drags on once the perpetrator is found.

I couldn't imagine how the CIA did all the work it did to find the man closest to Osama Bin Ladin; but I think they are amazing for finding him.  The intelligence that they exhibited to find the home was superb.  Then taking the time to track the man must have took weeks!  Now after you find him you have to be CERTAIN that you have the right man in the right house.  The CIA had global positioning that was able to find out how many people are in the house; they were even able to find out who never came outside.

After finding the man, making sure it was him they still needed approval and a killer team to do the job.  The CIA had to get a unique team to accomplish this task.  The men who raided the house had precision accuracy and did a bang up job given how tough the job must have been.  I give that Seal Team amazing credit for all their hard work for protecting our country; thanks guys!

Bottom Line: If you have two and a half hours go ahead and rent the movie; its worth it!

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: Book Review

Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Author: Patrick Lencioni

Pages: 229

Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Favorite Quote: "No matter how good an individual on the team might be feeling about his or her situation, if the team loses, everyone loses." 

About three, maybe four, years ago I read The Five Dysfunctions of a Team for the first time.  Now to be honest; Charity actually read the book to me while were driving home from a weekend in Big Bear with my family (and I'm pretty sure that Sophie was sleeping the back seat).

The first time I read the book I was in an interesting leadership situation.  Now it was fun to re-read this book in my new role of leading a team and helping to lead a campus.  I love how Lencioni writes this book because its helps me get the situation.  He actually writes a leadership fable where he gets his points across through a story.

Lencioni tackles five dysfunctions that will hold a team back from really becoming the team they are meant to be.  I'm not holding anything back; here are the five dysfunctions:

As I've read this book, been in leadership, been on good teams and been on dysfunctional teams I have to say that I recommend this book to anyone in or under leadership.  The thing that I need to work on now is to help our team have trust, engage in healthy conflict, commit to our mission, do what we are going to do and care more about the success of the team.

Confessions of a Pastor: I lied

You read it right.... I lied

Its not just a little lie, its actually a lie I've lived in for the last thirteen years and I need to confess it.

I was an alcoholic.  When I was 19 years old I would throw down an 18 pack, forgot most of what I did that night, wake up, drink a beer on my way to work and do it all over again.  My drinking helped me loose a bunch of friends, forget my dumb choices, make a bunch of horrible choices, total my truck and led me to jail on a few occasions.

On February 14th 2000 I was released from Vista County Jail and that day I made a commitment (plea) to God if He got to me out I would never drink or do drugs again.  As tough as that commitment was I actually did really well... for two months.

Then Spring Break hit and my sister and I went to Mazatlan to visit my uncle who lived down there.  I did really well for the first day but on the second, maybe third, day we were sitting in the bar getting ready for dinner when my uncle ordered a bucket of beers.  As I sat at the table watching everyone else drink a cold beer I couldn't help myself; I really wanted one.  I did pretty well for the first couple minutes but then it happened; I asked for a beer.  My sister looked at me with the look that says: "Don't do it brother, you know where that takes you."  She was right.  She saw how low my addiction had taken me.  She saw me loose everything in a matter of months.  She saw the agony I put my family through.  She saw first hand what my addiction had done to my life and to those I loved.

On April 20th I took a sip of beer, then another.  I had a choice to make that day: would I drink beer again or would I honor my commitment to God?

After two sips I realized that beer had "lost its taste" to me.  It actually repulsed me and I couldn't stand that taste.  I passed my beer on to someone else, repented and haven't consumed an alcoholic beverage in the last (almost) thirteen years.

Now I didn't have to confess this but for most of my Christian walk I have always used February 14th 2000 as my sobriety date.  This came crashing in my face last year when I was invited to get my twelve year chip.  I couldn't take a chip two months early for something I hadn't earned.  It was at that moment I had to confess this but its been weighing on my heart so bad that I needed to get it out and honestly its been pretty tough to get this out since pastors aren't supposed to lie.

I lied

My sobriety date isn't February 14th 2000 but its actually April 20th 2000.  I still look at February 14th as the date God saved me from my life of turmoil but I needed to get the truth out.

Will you please forgive me?

Adding a Third Service

When I arrived at CPC last summer it became clear to me that our church was growing... but we really didn't have any place to sustain this growth.  We had just launched our third campus and our hope was that this would help us reach people more South and free up some seats for us to continue our mission:

"to make and mature more followers of Christ"

Our vision 2020 is to have three 5000 Christ followers worshipping in three permanent locations on the Peninsula.  That means we are trusting God to double our church in the next eight years.

Over the last couple months we have been talking about how to make room for more people to hear about the saving truth of Jesus Christ.  We have shared lots of ideas but the idea that was most realistic was to add a third service here at our Foster City Campus.

Starting Sunday April 7th we are moving to three new service times: 8:00 am, 9:30 am and 11:15 am

Check out this video we created to promote our new times! 

LoveWorks Weekend

I don't know of many churches that are purposefully locking their doors on Sunday morning... to be honest it seems pretty crazy to do something like that right?  I mean for most churches Sunday is the BIG day of the week; its the only day that pastors work so why would someone close a church?

This weekend our church closed the doors and locked them.  We locked the doors of all three of our campus'.

Now before you think we are totally crazy let me tell you why.  For the last number of months a core team of people have been planning an weekend of service called LoveWorks.  I'm pretty sure that we sent over 1500 people into our community to just be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Let me clarify real quick.  We didn't do this to go and recruit more people to our church.  We didn't do it to proselytize the sinners.  We did it because we want to show people that the church is good.  We did it because there are needs in our community.  We did it because we have some rad people who care more about others than their personal time.

Moving to a more personal note I lead a project where we took gift baskets to local Police and Fire Stations.  It was so rad going to Trader Joe's to shop with my kids for the Firemen; they loved picking out items for the gift baskets.

On Saturday afternoon we started baking some yummy treats to put in the baskets for our First Responders

Then on Sunday morning, instead of going to church, 30+ people came to our house to assemble to the baskets for these heroes!

Finally we broke into 4 teams and headed off to one Police Station and seven Fire Stations to deliver the goods!

I wish I could describe what a blessing it was to serve with my family this weekend... but I can't or I may start crying.

Winning Customers Back

Two weeks ago I flew to Chicago.  I have to admit that when I first found out I was flying on United Airlines I was pretty bummed.  In reality it made the most sense to fly United but in the past I haven't had the best experience with United.

Let me share with you.  When I would fly from Vegas to Redding for seminary I can't think of a time that my connecting flight in San Francisco wasn't delayed.  The last time I flew United my flight was supposed to leave at 8:45pm but because it was so delayed it didn't leave until 12:45am.  That meant I didn't get to Redding until 2am, my hotel room at 2:30am and had class at 8am (thats a rough night in my book).

Now that you know my experience with United let me share how they slowly are earning me back.  The flight to Chicago was average; I wasn't changed.  But when I arrived in Chicago to fly back home I noticed there were two flights ahead of mine heading home.  I went directly to the gate of the plane leaving in 45 minutes to see if I could get on the flight.  I was placed on standby and with 20 minutes to spare I was added to the flight!  That meant I was going to see my family 2 hours ahead of my previous flight!  That wins my loyalty back. 

Then on the flight the staff was: funny, helpful and caring.  Now I don't want to get too far ahead of myself and say that I will be seeking out United flights in the future, I just want to share some of what United did and how that made me feel better as a customer.  

It also got me thinking:

What are some things that the Church needs to be doing to win people back?

What have I done that I need to change in my life to win people back?

What can I learn, as a leader, about taking care of people?