My Coaching Network Guys

The list below is the group I've been spending one Friday a month with for the last six months. I can't tell you how much I've appreciated the time I've been able to spend learning with/from them. If you are in a leadership position or you are a developing leader, keep up with these guys & seek advice from them. I'm looking forward to keeping up with everyone and seeing where God leads them and their ministries.

Adam "New Dad" Coates - Syracuse, NY - http://www.syracusevineyard.com

Brian "Fanny Pack" Moon - Tampa, FL - http://www.thechurchinsider.blogspot.com

Crull "That's My Real Name" Chambless - Houston, TX - http://www.focusexpands.com

Dave "Cubs Win!" Davis - Chicago, IL - http://www.davedavis.typepad.com

Geoffrey "Big Truck, Bigger Heart" Janes - Monroe, NC - http://www.geoffreyjanes.com

Hal "Father of Finance" Hunter - Jacksonville, FL - http://www.thechurchatargyle.org/

Jason "Gen Why?" Young - Loganville, GA - http://www.jasonyounglive.com

Kevin "Creeker" Lloyd - Augusta, GA - http://www.kevinlloydlive.com

Lance "Sugar Tit" Martin - Greer, SC - http://www.lancemartin.net

Marc "Chuck Taylor" Cauthon - Wichita, KS - http://www.marccauthon.com

Stephen "I Prefer Metal" Lowe - Atlanta, GA - http://www.slowethinking.com/

Tony "I'm Skinny, Therefore I'm Smart" Morgan - Atlanta, GA - http://www.tonymorganlive.com

Prideful Arrogance vs Confident Humility

I have this struggle in my mind about getting personal satisfaction about doing a good job or coming through for someone when they need me. I feel like God has equipped me with certain abilities, strengths, and gifts in order to lead others to Him and do well at whatever is put in front of me. However, I sometimes feel guilty for being confident and wonder if I'm confusing my confidence with pride.

Then there's the humility vs arrogance struggle. I often fear that my confidence comes off as arrogance. When I'm perceived as arrogant, I immediately lose influence. It think its obvious that people will follow confident leaders, not arrogant ones.

Do any of you struggle with prideful arrogance vs confident humility? If so, what personal disciplines do you practice to keep these things in check?

Draw the Line by David Gray

Draw The Line - David Gray

Pitfalls of a Super-hero

Today at The Ridge, Pastor Bobby Williams preached on the subject of addiction. If you examine your life close enough, there's a good chance you'll find that you are addicted to something that's hurting you and/or others around you.

God revealed something to me that I've been hiding from myself and others for a long time. I am addicted to recognition. I love being the "go to" guy. I love being the person who steps up and "saves the day". I love the false sense of importance I get from a pat on the back, a "thank you", or a "job well done". I'm addicted to being the super-hero.

Super-heroes are versatile. This explains a lot about why I do what I do. I've always been known as a "Jack of all trades" type. I never really take the time to master any one particular thing, but I love learning how to be proficient enough at most things so I can take credit for helping someone out in many different situations.

Super-heroes wear disguises. Sometimes my addiction to recognition is well disguised as dedication, kindness, or selflessness. The truth is, I'll sometimes go out of my way to "save the day" and totally neglect my wife and daughter.

It feels good to pin-point an addiction in my life. The next step is resolving this issue. Pray that God will transform me and help me figure out how to use the compassion, kindness, and abilities that He has given me for His glory instead of my own.

9/20 Setlist for The Ridge

9/20 The Ridge

Chainbreaker

Here's a video that Nick Miller put together for the next series at The Ridge called Chainbreaker. It was shot with a Panasonic DVX100 and edited in Sony Vegas and Adobe After Effects. The song used is called Firebreather by Thrice.

Chainbreaker from RunningCrew on Vimeo.

Matt & Deena Move On Up!

Matt & Deena Move On Up from Chris Hill on Vimeo.

Worship Leaders from The Ridge, Matt and Deena Robbins, on moving day!

He Smelled the Aroma

I started a reading the book of Genesis last week. This particular passage stood out to me like never before. I want to share it with you.

Genesis 8:20-21

20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though [a] every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

These verses remind me that God actually takes delight in our worship to him when it's done well. Our worship to him should never be in vain or by routine. If he literally smelled the aroma from the burnt offerings of Noah, then he actually hears the notes we play, appreciates the art we make, and experiences everything we create for him and hopefully he is pleased with what he sees and hears. Very cool.

Culture of Honor and Encouragement

Romans 12:10 (English Standard Version) Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Lately, God has really opened my eyes to the value of honor and encouragement. We're still developing our culture at The Ridge and we are working on fostering a culture of encouragement and honor for each other as we serve God and fulfill our purpose.

A word of encouragement and affirmation can mean so much to someone when shared at the right moment. We are making an effort to notice things people are doing well around us and compliment them on it.

Most of us are relatively new to ministry and we are all developing new skills as leaders in our unique positions. Honor through affirmation of a job well done from our peers just may be the fuel each of us needs to propel us over that next hump in our development.

I made sure to let everyone know that if they weren't comfortable complimenting and encouraging someone face to face, they could shoot them an email or text msg. Any form of this type of communication is better than none at all.

If you open your eyes to others you serve with, you'll find many ways to offer encouragement and compliment one another. Get creative. Let's really try to live out Romans 12:10 and "outdo each other in showing honor."