Moving

The below blog was on Leadership Freak and was a Guest blog by Katy Tynan who wrote the book Surviving Your Promotion.

The blog was entitled: Waiting Never Gets The Job Done

Thought there was some good insight here . . . especially for everyone over 14!

Have you ever been to a teambuilding camp? One of those retreats where corporations send groups of people to fast track their ability to work together cohesively? I used to facilitate at one of these programs, and I want to share a stunning observation.

On the first week of the month we ran a kids program. Students in 6^th-8^th grade would come and work their way through the challenge course as part of their retreat. On the second week of the month we would host corporate clients – adults – for one or two day seminars.

Time and time again as I facilitated these sessions I observed that it took the adults more than twice as long to get through each challenge.

Why?

Why would the people with more life experience, and more physical size/strength take so much longer to find a solution to these puzzles? After all, we didn’t provide any additional information or tools to the kids!

The answer is frighteningly simple. In the first 15 minutes the kids tried at least 3 different things. Most of their early efforts failed but they learned from each one and moved on quickly.

The adults spent the first 15 minutes walking around, talking to one another, and considering whether to offer an opinion or whether someone else might have a better idea.

When faced with a challenge, act. Make mistakes, learn from them and move on.

Waiting never gets the job done.

Awesome Team!

I know that I overuse the word 'Awesome!' But this is one place where it applies. We had an awesome team in Vietnam and here's what I mean.

Teachable - Everyone went in with an attitude to learn from our partners and friends in VN. I'm so thankful that no one had the 'arrogant American' attitude that gives us a bad name.

Humble - Again, everyone on our team was willing to put others before themselves. I saw our team serve the students & teachers of Ban Ho and people of Vietnam day after day. As well as serving me and one another.

Faithful & Flexible - Every day we experienced the unexpected. We had 30-min van rides that turned into 1-hour and 2-hour loooong van rides (one of which included wading through the muddy road to help push stranded vehicles out). 8-hour overnight train rides with no sleep. Rainy days where no equipment or people showed up to work. 11-hour layovers in airports. And yet, every single team member was faithful to our task and focused on the Kingdom!

I could go through a whole bunch of other adjectives but ya'll get the idea. Just had to brag on Kim Lindell, Carrie Ruiz, Toby Ketter, Greg & Erin Richmond. Way to go guys, way to set the pace for future VN teams from Oso Creek!

Thought ya'll might enjoy these pics of our team. From top . . . 1) Beginning of trip on top of hotel in Hanoi (w/Tan & Sherman from GVI). 2) Putting our handprints in the new pavement at the Ban Ho Secondary School (w/Mr. Dook - Superintendent of Sapa Schools) 3) On way home @ Narita Airport - Tokyo (you gotta find stuff to do to kill an 11-hour layover!)

Why Be a Leader?

Only because people willing to lead change the world.

THIS Saturday from 8:30am to 3:30pm world class leaders are going to be speaking at Oso Creek via satellite about leading.

Call the office to sign up, pay the paltry $35, and come learn with us how to leverage your life in greater ways for eternity.

Elder Retreat

Heading off to Lake Corpus Christi this evening with the Elder Team. We will come back tomorrow (Saturday) evening.

Please pray for us as we seek God's wisdom and leadership with Oso Creek.

Pray that we hear God clearly as we face challenges, and also see God moving in many people's lives! Our heart is that lives will be transformed. Pray that we will stay on affixed on seeing the transforming power of Jesus in our midst.

See you Sunday morning at 9:30 to serve our City!!

Leadership Prayer . . .

This evening our Elder Team is going to Lake Corpus Christi to pray, seek and dream for a day.

Please pray for our team: myself, John Richerson, Tim Klaus, Mike Isle, and Greg Richmond.

Pray that we would have wisdom, discernment, unity, and most of all ears to hear and eyes to see what God is telling us. This is an awesome group of men and I'm excited to be with them and see how God speaks to us!

"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. . . . Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. . ." (Hebrews 13:7, 17)

Semper Paratus

Rick Thornton is one of our faithful men on the Leadership Team at Oso Creek. He has also courageously and faithfully served our Country for the past 30 years.

Yesterday I had the incredible privilege of being a part of his retirement ceremony as he ended his military career. (Pic w/Susie his beautiful bride)

One of most meaningful and powerful things I have gotten to do here at Oso Creek is to interact with, serve, and serve alongside many incredible men and women who sacrifice their lives for the sake of our country. There are none more honorable.

The Coast Guard's motto is: Semper Paratus . . . 'Always Ready'
My prayer for you Rick is that in this new season of life you continue to remain 'Always Ready' to serve the King and the Kingdom!

Pray for Me and Unplugged

I'm pumped about an awesome opportunity I have next week to hang out and learn from some experienced and fearless leaders.

I'm going to Unplugged in Washington, D.C. which is hosted by Mark Batterson (one of the guys who mentors me through his blog and who I met last Summer).

It's a small gathering of 20-30 leaders where I'll get to hear their hearts and passions and experience -- and learn. . . Can't wait to get there . . . I'm asking God to open my mind and heart to how He would speak to me. I so want to learn more and more how to use the leadership gifts and opportunities that He's given me!

Go To The Summit!

One more Leadership Summit plug! The price for the Summit increases again on June 24th.

If you want to be a more passionate, powerful leader . . . AND hang out with me and 30 other Creeker leaders . . . Then click here and let us know that you want to go to Summit with us on August 7th and 8th and we'll get you the details!

Praise God!

I am so thankful for the incredible group of leaders that God has gathered at Oso Creek!
Tonight many of them were at our leadership group. Just simple folks, like me and you, seeking to follow Jesus.

And I left that time so encouraged as I heard them sincerely pray for one another. . . humbly ask God for forgiveness . . . and ask God to give Oso Creek a united, humble, serving, passionate heart.

Steve and Lauren Garcia were also in town checking out a house and we got to spend some time praying for them before they left, it was awesome!
Please be praying for Steve and Lauren and Ben, as they will be transitioning from San Antonio at the end of this month and Steve will be a huge part of our staff beginning in July!!

Leadership Summit . . . The Time Is Now!

I have a hard time explaining how powerful Leadership Summit is except to say that it is the ONE leadership event that we are committed to every year!

Last year we took 30 Creekers and the goal is to take 40 of us this year!

It's an incredible time of growing individually in what it takes to lead - be it our family, at work, or in the Body of Christ . . . . and growing together as we learn and hang out together

If your unsure if it's for you I encourage you click here where you can check out last year's highlights as well as this years speakers, schedule, etc.
Or, go here where you can see videos of folks just like whose lives have been altered through The Summit.

The reduced registration fee that we get as an associate host site ends THIS MONDAY! So please let us know today - email by clicking here - if you want to go to the Summit with us!

Loaded Up

Wow, it's been a veeeeery busy Monday! Blown by. How about you? What are your Monday's like?
Mine are mainly filled with administrative tasks and catching up on phone calls/emails that I wasn't able to get to at the end of last week.

Really looking forward to our Leadership Meeting tonight -- have some great stuff to share! We have some incredible leaders at Oso Creek, that's much of the reason for God's blessing on our church!

And tomorrow is not only April Fools Day ---- but it's my beautiful wife's birthday!