toddclark.org

Tiger Woods ~ Ups & Downs

2009-12-16T09:12:02-08:00

Tigers "favorable" rating dropped to 33% in the latest poll conducted this week vs. 85% from his last poll in June 2005.

Woods posted the highest popularity rating in poll history — 88% — when Gallup first measured him in 2000. The 52-point swing is the largest drop between consecutive measurements since Gallup began tracking it in 1992.

Simultaneously the Associated Press announced today that Tiger Woods has been named the "Athlete of the Decade."

It just think about how interesting it is that a person can be winning awards publicly & losing hearts privately at the same time.

As I was once told by Bob Russell, former Senior Pastor of Southeast Christian Church, "do not believe your own press clippings."

I am pretty sure Tiger does not feel like the athlete of the decade today ~ even though that is what the press clippings proclaim.

Make no mistake about it, our private actions will one day effect our public perceptions, popularity and platform.

I am praying for Tiger as well as all those who might be tempted to ignore the link between our public and private lives.

Christmas Reflections ~ HDR

2009-12-04T17:18:33-08:00

Christmas Reflections ~ HDR
Originally uploaded by DiscoveryChurchTodd

Concept for Clark Family Christmas Card 2009

"Squeeze the Orange" - Part 3

2009-12-02T15:48:06-08:00

The third benefit of an Orange philosophy being squeezed into your staff this coming year is ...

Influence!

When everyone on your staff is headed in the same direction your voice gets very loud in the ears of your congregation & community.

When we are all saying the same thing from birth through college people are eventually led to listen.

John 17:20-22 --- My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.

There is no greater way to influence families than for a church staff to pray, prepare and present a unified plan to parents.

Parents are hearing so many conflicting voices from our world today.

If we can present a clear & compelling family strategy parents will be grateful and equipped.

Four ways that your team can increase your influence.

1. Do not try to do everything. By doing a little of everything you will end up doing a lot of nothing. There is no way in our current economic times for a church to have influence while employing a shotgun approach to ministry.

2. Don't just invite people to "come" to church invite people to "be" the church. There should be family strategies that are external and focus on your community and not just your congregation.

3. Partner with other organizations in town such as Community Pregnancy Centers, YMCA, and other churches to promote family & faith. This is a visual illustration of the principle that Jesus said would allow people to believe that God has sent Him!

4. Remain faithful as longevity instigates influence!

Discovery Kidz @ Simi Valley Mall

2009-12-01T13:39:48-08:00

Discovery Kidz @ Simi Valley Mall
Originally uploaded by DiscoveryChurchTodd

Snow in Simi Valley, CA!

"Squeeze the Orange" - Part 2

2009-12-01T09:35:26-08:00

The second benefit of an Orange philosophy being squeezed into your staff this coming year is ...

Chemistry!

When everyone on your staff is headed in the same direction there is an infectious culture created.

A culture of chemistry is even more valuable than money to many staff members.

Chemistry is in many ways synonymous with harmony which is to be prized & guarded at all costs as a house, or staff, divided against itself cannot stand.

Four ways to grow chemistry in your staff.

1. Create commonalities. The more your team shares in common the more potential chemistry will be created. For instance, as often as possible do things together outside the office. If the only thing you have in common as a staff is the address of your church ~ chemistry will be hard to cultivate.

2. Spend a considerable amount of time in the hiring process. Make sure that any person your hiring is not only gifted but also really "gets" what your church is about. Be sure that your team has a chance to chime in and meet the potential new team member before the employment offer is extended.

3. Read books together. When your staff reads together your minds begin to bend in the same direction.

4. Celebrate team members. When a team member is celebrated their heart is thankful & that translates into endearment. A person who feels endeared to a team will typically be very open to investing their life in creating chemistry.

"Squeeze the Orange" - Part 1

2009-11-30T08:11:04-08:00

Just in case you are wondering ...

Is it really worth the time & energy it will take in 2010 to "squeeze the orange" philosophy into your church staff?

The answer is YES.

When it comes to your staff the truth is ~ if they do not get the "sticky orange" philosophy all over them ~ they will never be able to share the sweetness with others!

There are three HUGE benefits to an orange staff alignment ~ here is the first.

Synergy!

Synergy is far more than momentum as momentum can actually be very dangerous if you are not headed in the right direction.

Synergy is focused energy.

It is amazing how much we can achieve when everyone is complimenting each other rather than competing with each other.

Here are five ways you can seek "synergy" on your staff.

1. Constant Communication - Engaging, informative, well thought out weekly staff meetings & creative monthly "blue sky" dream sessions.

2. Cultivate Chemistry - Spending time with each other outside the office just doing life together. Shared experiences enhance synergy.

3. Valuing Everyone's Voice - It does not matter what position a person holds on your team. Their should be a path where their voice can be heard & their ideas implemented. Your staff needs to know that any one of them can have a ripple effect on the future of your church.

4. Create slogans to further clarify your churches mission and vision. These slogans, if sticky, will create synergy.

5. Ask members of your team, who may typically work alone, to cooperate on projects. When team members cooperate the combined outcome should be synergistic for those staff members. It's the whole idea of team work will make the dream work!

LIFE ROCKS ~ Bonus Rocks @ DC!

2009-11-08T07:38:14-08:00

Here is a copy of Cole's Family Dream Session.

Is. 32:8 - A noble man, makes noble plans and by his noble deeds he stands.

Dream on FAMILIES!!!

Another picture of why I love our DC staff!

2009-11-07T12:39:30-08:00

Pastor Mike ~ cleaning lights on a Saturday afternoon so families Sunday morning can have a better view of God!

Cousins w/ the BIG DOG!

2009-11-07T09:30:55-08:00

Todd Clark

Parenting Rocks!

2009-11-01T07:15:54-08:00

Wagan Train
Originally uploaded by DiscoveryChurchTodd

This Sunday morning at Discovery Church ~ PARENTING ROCKS!

We will study Ephesians 6 ~ get here @ 9 / 10:30 / 11:45am!

I'm the same age as EMAIL!!!

2009-10-29T18:58:55-07:00

Internet messages started with a crash 40 years ago today, and life hasn't been the same since. “We transmitted the ‘L’ … and the ‘O’ — and then the other computer crashed,” says UCLA's Leonard Kleinrock, who helped send that first message on the university's campus on Oct. 29, 1969. He was trying to type the word "login."

The Race

2009-10-26T21:22:13-07:00

The Race
Originally uploaded by DiscoveryChurchTodd

To be a child again ...

U2 spaceship church tonight @ Rosebowl

2009-10-25T21:14:03-07:00

Todd Clark

LIFE ROCKS - Marriage!

2009-10-24T14:28:07-07:00

This weekend at Discovery ~ MARRIAGE ROCKS!

Seriously - you gotta come.

Is there anything more that our society needs than wise counsel on marriage?

This weekend we will open to Ephesians chapter five ...

And it's gonna ROCK!

9am - 10:30am - 11:45am

LIFE ROCKS - Dating

2009-10-17T14:12:59-07:00

WHEW!

This weekend at Discovery is going to be SMOKIN' HOT as we continue our study on the book of Ephesians.

This week will be chapter 5 & the topic is dating!

I cannot wait to unpack Gods Word & expose how relevant it truly is to our culture and lives.

See you Sunday at 9am, 10:30am or 11:45am!

Rules for Dating my Daughter

2009-10-15T10:44:10-07:00

This Sunday we will continue our study in Ephesians called LIFE ROCKS - our topic will be DATING ROCKS from Eph. 5:1-22.

Here is a list that won't make the sermon this weekend but it's pretty stinkin' funny!

Rule One:
If you pull into my driveway and honk, you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule Two:
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule Three:
I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open-minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

Rule Four:
I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a 'Barrier method' of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule Five:
I have no doubt you are a popular fellow with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule Six:
The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter:
• Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool.
• Places where there is darkness.
• Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness.
• Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear
shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose
down parka - zipped up to her throat.
• Movies with strong romantic or sexual themes are to be avoided; movies which feature
chain saws are okay.
• Hockey games are okay. Old folks’ homes are better.

LIFE ROCKS - Friendship

2009-10-11T09:03:25-07:00

This weekend at Discovery we continue our study on the book of Ephesians.

Our topic will be "FRIENDSHIP" and how you move from friendships that are on the rocks to friendships that ROCK!

Join us at 9am - 10:30am - 11:45am

If you are sitting in the Connected Community area of the DC auditorium you can make a comment on this blog post for all to see - during the message!

Catalyst - 35ft high into 12inches of water!

2009-10-09T12:59:02-07:00

Todd Clark

Tony Dungy @ Catalyst

2009-10-08T13:12:40-07:00

Todd Clark

Catalyst Session One

2009-10-08T05:53:28-07:00

Todd Clark