Let the record show that this is "infamous" Gary Lamb and his "awesome" staff at Revolution Church (www.therevolution.tv). Hey Gary, just get you a goldfish bowl and forget about it!

Leaders look for solutions to problems. They don't waste their time complaining about the problem and blaming others.

You've gotta watch this video. It's of a coach (Mike Gundy from OSU) lecturing a sports writer in the Oklahoma Media (Jenni Carlson). She wrote an article full of rumors about one of his players, Bobby Reid. Keep in mind that Jenni Carlson is sitting in the room while he is ripping her apart. I say good for him. He had the guts to stick up for his player in such a public way. He called her out and he should have! I'd let my kid play for this guy...

The first two years of my preaching ministry were given to a small Southern Baptist Church in North Charlotte. It was some good and some bad. There were some good people there and some not so good people in that church. I lost my innocence in that church when it comes to church people and the self-righteous. A couple of the meanest people I’ve ever met in my life were long-time, “God-fearing” members of that church.

I had my faults too. I was new to ministry so I made plenty of mistakes. I also learned some lessons that I carry with me to this day. One of those lessons is that you don't preach to your critics. Why? It doesn't do any good – and it zaps the energy and creativity out of you. Critics in churches are unlike critics in other industries. (I know church is not necessarily thought of as an "industry" but you know what I mean). Other critics are willing to become fans - to change their mind about your art, your business plan, your strategy, your food – whatever your product may be. In church, critics don't change they just get more vicious. And when you preach to them it is like pouring fuel to the fire.

What brought this on is a sermon I listened to today where I know the guy must be under attack from a critic(s). He's an up-and-comer and I wouldn't mention his name for anything less he think I'm one of the guys piling on. I'm not. I enjoy listening to his messages but it bored me to listen to him talk to the people who don't like him, his church and the way he does ministry. I don't know him directly or have access to him so I thought I'd just blog my thoughts. Maybe he'll read this blog but probably he won't but I’m going to talk to his as though he will.

Dude; stop talking to the people who aren't listening! Talk to all the people who are listening! You aren't going to change your critics. They are convinced they are right and you are wrong. And with every word you use to address them it only makes them harder to who you are.

The best thing to do is stop listening to your critics all together. Sure, you need someone(s) close to you who can speak truth into your life that will keep you from becoming a dictator or a jackass that no one can live with. And anyway, who cares what the preacher down the street is saying about you – good or bad? You should read enough of the good press to keep you encouraged and none of the bad. The bad press will get to you eventually - it is like a drug - and it is poisonous. The proof that your bad press is getting to you is when it shows up in your sermons.

If you're not careful you will catch yourself preaching from the Minor Prophets every Sunday and berating everyone in the service. Your fans – those who’s lives are being changed under your ministry – and those who are following your leadership – won't have any idea what's really going on and they will tune you out and will eventually stop listening all together. THEN THE CRITICS WIN!

BRO! Preach on! Pull a Moses. Moses hung with the people just long enough to check their pulse and find out what they were thinking. But once he did that he moved out in front of them - out of earshot of their complaining about how good slavery was back in Egypt. He moved out in front where the critics couldn't have his ear so he could lead his people to the Promised Land. Stay out front man and keep on leading. That's what God has called you to do. That's why your church is booming. That's why lives are being changed. And hey, it won't matter if you baptize every pagan in the Southeast, the critics will still be on the sidelines complaining. Forget them!

CHIN UP! EARS CLOSED! ROCK ON! :-)

That's my new phrase here lately when something blows me away...Holy Smokes! Anyway, I just got word on an awesome new website that you have to check out - especially if you are a Worship Leader/Pastor, Lead Pastor, Church Planter, etc. Here it is...

http://www.worshipleaderinsights.com/

And... this guy (Jason Hatley) is off the hook! I learn from him and endorse him with everything inside of me! I don't know if that means much but for what it is worth. Go there now!

And...for the trivia minded person, does anyone know the name of the first ever Worship Pastor at Rocky River Community Church? Nope, not Chris Tomlin (thank God!). It was Jason Hatley!

http://www.perrynoble.com/2007/08/17/five-gut-check-questions/

Jimmy Carter was one of the speakers this morning at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. I remember when Jimmy Carter was President - mostly through the eyes of my daddy - but I remember. Mostly what I remember is that our country seemed so weak. Our flag was being burned all over the world. Inflation was through the roof. Most young families could not fathom owning a home – the American Dream. The nightly news was one bad story after another. Most people in our country didn't even feel good about being Americans. We were scared to death of the Russians. We had hostages in Iran. It was just a hard time in our nation’s history.

My perception of Jimmy Carter has always been that he was a weak President. It's hard for me to listen to him say that George W. Bush (who has been a disappointment at times to me too) is the worst President in our history. I would beg to differ. GWB is certainly not the worst President in my lifetime.

With that said, I have respected President Carter for many years as it relates to human rights and world causes. I believe he is a man of peace and I really appreciated the things he taught us this morning about leadership and humanity in general. He is a very genuine and kind man. Thanks Bill Hybels (Senior Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church) for challenging me to listen to him and learn. I certainly did.

But I would like to get a couple of things off my chest too. I would like to say to President Carter that not all wars (like the one we're in with global terrorists - particularly in Iraq) are waged out of revenge. Some wars, like the war against terrorism, are fought for the sake of justice. Sometimes you fight for yourselves and for those who can’t fight for themselves. We're fighting this war - and should do so whenever necessary - because sometimes the ugly head of tyranny has to be cut off. Sometimes you can't have justice through diplomacy. Sometimes you have to give the bully down the street (or across an ocean or desert) the only thing he understands - a good old-fashioned butt whipping.

And, I too believe we should be gentle as individuals and as a nation of people whenever possible. But sometimes gentleness is only a smoke screen used to hide behind our fears. Sometimes what we call meekness is only an excuse for being weak.

Some battles are worth fighting!

I'm so excited today. Today is the first day of Willowcreek's Leadership Summit (http://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/). I've been going to the Summit for about eight years now and it is the highlight of my leadership year. I'm heading over with our R2C2 staff and just can't wait to learn and be inspired with those guys. And what's funny is that the Summit comes at just the right time for our church - again, God is doing some special things. BTW, we're going to the Summit at Meckelenburg Community Church.

I'm excited about the rest of this week too. The Summit lasts through Saturday morning. On Sunday I'm going to be at Elevation Church in Charlotte. Been wanting to do this for a while and finally get to this weekend. Jeremy Hyde, our former Pastor of Community at R2C2 is going to be teaching both services this week. I'm very excited about that...!

Anyway, it's going to be a great wrap up this week to one of the most God-inspiring weeks I can remember...EVER!

[Learning to Listen to God, Part 2 of 3]

Yesterday I started a three-part blog about how to learn to listen to God. The idea is that God is speaking – God is moving – God wants us to know what His purpose is for our lives. He wants us to live in the “blessing realm” [sounds charismatic, huh?]. He wants us to have what Jesus says is “abundant life.” But to get there you have to learn how to listen to God.

Man. We have some big stuff coming up at Rocky River Community Church. On July 29 we are going to make a couple of really big and important announcements. To say the least, God is moving in our church. And here’s the thing: When God is moving then He is also speaking. I’m not sure if He moves then speaks or speaks and then moves. What I do know is that it is extremely important to listen to God speak. If you are a leader – church planters listen up – there is NO SUBSTITUE FOR LISTENING TO GOD SPEAK – clearly.

Today I am going to kick off a three part blog-series on how to listen to God.

The FIRST thing you have to do to hear God is…
1. Get rid of the distractions. Bill Hybels (www.willowcreek.org) says that when God spoke to Moses He didn’t need to use a “burning bush.” He simply used the burning bush to get Moses’ attention. God was basically saying to him, “Moses, slow down. STOP and LISTEN! Take a rest from your busy schedule. I have something I want to say to you.” Moses did and the rest is history.

Moses was no different than the rest of us in that he was busy. He had the same kinds of noises and distractions in his life as we do. He was worried about his job; he had a wife and kids to take care of. He had a full calendar of activities. He had people to please. He was running in a million different directions. Those things, that stuff, important as they are, were distractions that kept him from hearing from God. So God used the burning bush to make him slow down, step away from the noise and distractions of life, so he could listen to Him.

See, talking with you, helping you understand your purpose and your reason for existing, is very important to God. It’s important to you. But sometimes we let everyday life, and the noise of everyday life, drown out God’s voice. So, sometimes God has to reach out and grab your attention.

Question: Is God trying to speak to you today? What are you missing by not listening to Him? What is it going to take for Him to get your attention?

[How to Listen to God, Part 1]