New Dimension: Thinking it through.

As seasons change, people change. I’d like to believe that people get better, because things become different in our lives. Whether you have been serving the Lord with a desire to strive or you are re-engaging yourself because you have slipped away. It is your time for a new dimension.

Today I want to reveal some things that are in my mind about this new dimension that I believe that we are in.

1. People criticize what they do not understand. Here is the point. Our lives are going to challenge others when we grow. People who do not grow do not like people who are growing, because growth causes the average to take an evaluation. Disappointment sets in and then they start to attack. They say things like: I do not like their style. They do not have the vision. Wow, things have really changed. Is it that they really don’t like you? Well maybe in some cases, but in most cases it is because they are not happy with themselves.

2. Prepare for greater expectation. Sometimes life can be like a merry-go-round. The greatest expectation falls to those who are doing well. If you are having a great season, you can be sure that some responsibility is going to fall your way. Embrace it. People have a tendency to attach themselves to success, Nobody wants to connect with a person in a losing season. People want to be with winners. So what are we supposed to do? Here are a few things to consider:

• People can’t hurt your progress unless you allow them to. It’s your choice.
• Position yourself to help others in need. Be ready when they ask. Because they are going to ask.
• Prepare your mind for disappointment. Do not expect people to meet all of your expectations.

3. Partner with other winners. Relationships are so crucial to our life. A partner is someone who has a few important characteristics:

• People who get you. These are people who don’t give you the blank, “I don’t get it stare.” when you talk to them about your ideas. Sign that a person is not a partner: They are too busy texting or tweeting to give you their total attention. 
• People who give back to you. I’m all for helping people, but hey sometimes people should give back. Seriously.
• People who pray for you. You can feel it. You will know when people are with you on something. I have found that sometimes God will allow people to walk out of your life, so that new people can walk in.

Elevate.

Reflection Time

As I await my wife (she is packing). We are preparing for a week long trip and a time for a little R&R. This personal trip is probably long overdue and I must admit, lately I have longed to just be alone with her. Throughout the years, I have always heard that ministry can be taxing. I have often thought of the first line of the The Tail of Two Cities, written by Charles Dickens, “It was the best of times and the worst of times.” In many ways life can be just like that. Ministry is a place where we live between those two realities. Everything is great in the ministry, but what is happening at home? (vice-versa) If you have ever felt like this was you? I want you to know that you are not alone. Our generation of leader is facing it together. Here are a few things that I am learning about this particular battle:

1. God’s promises will always prevail. His word is true. I have spent hours reading the Bible for guidance. I want you to know that God’s word is powerful.

2. Great models.We have been given great models. I thank God for those who have defeated those giants in their personal lives. Divorce, raising godly children, financial pressure, bankruptcy. If they could do it, we can do it too.

3. Greater strength. God wants us to endure these challenges for ourselves. A personal battle is just that. Personal. Our job is to overcome it with the help of the Lord. What we gain is worth its weight in gold. You will become stronger. 

4. Great opportunity. What is on the other side of your struggle? There are just too many cliches to quote that will speak to that truth in our lives. The important thing to know is that it is true. There are going to be greater opportunities on the other side of your struggle.

You can do it.

Al

Top Searches @ Elevate Blog

I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the top search terms at the Elevate Blog. I think you will find it interesting. Gives me some insight to what people are look for. Enjoy. I also rejoice that we hit over 3000 hits so far this month.

Searches include:

victory outreach sandiego

empowering members for church growth

alcance victoria east los angeles (this is a big one, always at the top)

pastor sonny arguinzoni

changing seasons of our lives

pastor tom vasquez

breaking barriers in the church

pastor mitchell petersen

how to deal with tough personalities

georgina valdez

what to do when you want to quit

nick walker

changing your mentality

what is twitter?

mega church growth

how to develop cell groups in your church

developing leaders

assimilating newcomers

Have a great week.

ELEVATE

Church Growth Interview

The people over at VETI have definitely got a new swagger. Under the leadership of Kevin Young, M.Div they are making some powerful leaps towards developing a curriculum that is relative, inspiring & forward thinking. I was recently contacted by their office for an interview about church growth that will be taking place in a few weeks to be shared with VETI students all over the world. I want to practice on you guys. There are a series of 7 questions:

1.In your opinion, what would you say was the single most important contributing aspect for the growth of your church?

When we took the church it was at a weekend attendance of 600 people. A lot of the heavy lifting was done in regards to securing the building and remodeling the facilities. A team was assembled, but we did not know what that team would do in the absence of an experienced leader. In my opinion, our team was the difference. The team is empowered, collaborative, professional & progressive. I think the team is the single most contributing factor. Because of our team, the church has doubled in 18 months.     

2. What resources (books, seminars, sermons, etc.) do you find helpful in developing an attitude for church growth?

There are many books that we read but we are finding that we are in need of newer concepts. Pastor Sonny really taught us to take a look at models. And we have found that there is a trend for that all over the world. Most pastor’s of growing churches are a part of a network of other growing churches. There is a powerful information sharing that goes beyond books and printed information, because pastors of growing churches want to see how things function. I feel that we need a network for pastors in VO because of the uniqueness of our ministry. Pastors who want to grow could really benefit.

3. Has the use of technology (internet, media, social networks, etc.) contributed to your growth?

We have taken the internet & technology very seriously in our church. We have a whole staff dedicated to just that particular area. Our feeling is that any church that is not online or using such free sources such as social media are dinosaurs in this age. The numbers are very specific as to why media is important. People want their information & they want it now. They will usually go to the church that will provide it quickly & accurately. Evangelism has become much easier because of technology.

4. Can you comment on how VOI’s core ministries contribute to church growth?

The core ministries have certainly set the course for our church. In terms of values, principles & exposure, there is no measure to its benefit. If I were to describe its purpose it would be to solidify. Our members have become more solid as a result of these core ministries. 

5. In what ways do you engage the community surrounding your church?

We are a church of cell groups. Our task is to infiltrate our community and to create church community through this strategy. What we have found is that evangelism has become the general result and people are fitting in. Another way we have engaged our community is through community activity. We want to develop a better relationship with community leaders & city officials. We have actually partnered on a few projects in the past. We look to do more in the future. Television has also brought a new awareness to our church in the entire county. We have purchased network time and we are trying to expose the community to an outreach that is younger & more family-based.

6. If you could state the single most influential church growth principle in a sentence what would it be?

Teamwork makes the dreamwork. Empowering leaders to do the job. Building a church is hard work. 

7. If you had the chance to start all over again, what would you do different?

That is a tough question. There are a few things. I would have definitely done more in the community. I think we could have made more in-roads in regards to working with community leaders. But it is not too late. Also, there were some leadership choices that turned out bad. I didn’t realize that we were at a level where we needed more professional types. Also, I would be more careful with people taking too much ownership of an area of ministry or department. Change readiness is a important key.

10 Things You Might Not Know About Mega-Church Pastors

Since everyone in Victory Outreach is on the Mega-bubble. I thought it would be nice to post a blog I received from my friend Samuel Chand over @ Leadership Network. They do some great studies on leaders, churches, finances & other various topics pertaining to church growth. 

Leadership Network surveyed 232 pastors of churches with an average weekend worship attendance of at least 2,000. Here are 10 things you might not know about megachurch pastors. 

1. They think of themselves more as teachers and directional leaders than as pastors.
2. Preaching tops the list of things they do best.
3. They haven’t always worked in churches.
4. Being an extrovert isn’t mandatory.
5. Family stays at the top of mind when it comes to prayers.
6. They usually like the people they work with.
7. They believe their top gift is leadership.
8. They are actively involved in sports.
9. They find worship at their church helpful for personal spiritual growth.
10. They’re not thinking about quitting.

Mondays are for Mental Download.

Mondays are great. It is a time refreshing for me personally & a time to review the weekend & project for the following week. I can say that my mental process always begins on Monday. Some people say that Monday’s should be a day of rest, but do pastors every really rest? Our minds are always going. It is important to stay focused. Here are few things that are on my mind today in no particular order.

1. How can we accomplish the task of baptizing 400 new people into the kingdom this summer? Do our summer events point us to that goal? I think they do. But we will see.

2. How much time should I give to many of my friends who are asking me to speak in their churches? Explosion is happening all over the world & I do want to be a part of it. But how do I bring the balance so that my church doesn’t feel me being out. I love my church.

3. My family is growing. Thankfully not by number, but definitely in size. The girls are getting older, and I want to take time to really enjoy them more before they get big! My kids are so sharp. They are great students. They love God & church.

4. How can I mobilize our congregation to impact our city in a greater way? What kind of impact is our cell groups making in the community? We have 54 active cell groups right now & we need to keep them mobile & effective.

5. If we start to pack out our 3rd english service on Sunday? Do we start a Saturday night service? Or do we focus on building the people to a new personal level? What is the next move?

6. Television seems to be working. How can we take the production to a whole new level. It seems like people like it, because we are getting a greater influx of new people.

7. How can we keep our givers greatly motivated. They are the backbone to what God is doing in our church. I appreciate them so much.

8. I have been appointed as the new Regional Pastor over the VO San Diego County churches. Pastor David has been wonderful, he will be overseeing Australia. How can I grow our region at the same pace as our church?

9. How can I integrate Pastor Darryl & Gloria from Manila, Philippines into our church for a time of training? They come today for 6 weeks.

Gosh, ministry is fun.

Pastor Al