We’re back from our mini retreat in Tallahassee with the people of Genesis Church. We had a great time, learned some things and also got some much needed alone time with my wife. We started the roundtable on Thursday night with a time of sharing our stories. It was funny how so many of stories had some similar characteristics, one of which Brian Hunter spoke about on Sunday, which is that our biggest seasons of growth come in the times of waiting. Almost all of us had our seasons on the back side of the desert like Moses, or in a pit like Joseph. There is a time of preparation before a time of spotlight. How you handle the season of preparation is a direct relation to the size of the stage which God elevates you to. This does not only apply to preachers but is evident in any direction that God may be leading you. God is at work even when your life feels a million miles away from your destiny.

Sermon over…I think Brian’s intentions for the roundtable were more relational than educational even though there is much to learn from a guy who has led his church from 8 to 1200 in 4 years. The best part was his openness to share his mistakes. I have listed them here because I know he would want others to learn from them:

1. Did not teach giving in the first 2 years.
2. Did not have effective leadership training.
3. Hired a person, not for a position.
4. Implemented some changes too quickly and too often.
5. Adopted multiple models.

Even though he listed five mistakes and only the three successes below, it would be tough not to argue that the victories outweigh the losses.

1. Organizational Process
2. Worship Experience
3. Marketing

When asked what my biggest take away from the roundtable was I said I was excited that I don’t have to be a super hero. It is okay to fail and it is okay to share your failures with those around you. You can learn together from them and move on. Brian has been the cutting edge in the Church of God, especially in our state, and it was good to experience his personality, including the humble spirit which he boldly leads out of. I enjoyed the times with the other guys because it is important to remember in the overwhelming days of this job that there are others out there just like you.

Even though I have many notes on Structure, Strategies and Systems I want to leave you with some basic principles we were given which are the foundation to Genesis Church’s success, besides the fact that they have a great leader. I know a little brown nosing, but he really is a genuinely great guy with a passion for the lost.

- If it doesn’t work small, it won’t work big!
- Organization is the key to long term success.
- 3 Leadership Principles to live by:
1. Fast now - Feast Later
2. Schedule the pain - schedule it early (Deal with difficult situation quickly)
3. Work you do today must be connected to your vision. (That includes spending time with your family because losing your family is not a part of your vision.)
- Simple is better.
- Less is more.
- Same is better than different.
- Start small. Do only a few things but do them with excellence.
- Deliver what you advertise.