Brian Harris

What's better when you bring a friend?

2012-01-25T15:43:00.004-06:00

Just like most thinkgs in life church is better when you don't do it alone!

It's better when you bring a friend. And that's exactly what we @ Second are doing on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29 – we're calling it Double Day! We'd like to double our attendance in Bible study and worship by asking each person to invite and bring with them a family, friend or neighbor who needs a church home. And with the New Year and all the great things happening in the Second Family, from the new "Countercultural Happiness" sermon series, to women's events, to weekday Bible studies, plus student and children's programming, it's a great time to introduce people to the life of this church.

Found people find people!

Already a part of what's happening @ Second? Invite someone to join you in Bible Study THIS weekend!

Don't have a church home / need to reconnect? Join us this weekend! http://www.second.org/North/Adults/Singles.aspx

Why do you believe week 1: do you believe in God?

2011-06-19T13:32:00.001-05:00

Series: why do you believe

Intro: what u think of when you hear the name GOD is the most important thing about you!

"The most practical and imporant thing about a man is still his view of the universe" gk chesterton

Why we beleieve series explained

Where u start....DOES GOD EXISTS
- if he does not, christians are fools
- if he does, it demands our all
( there is really only 1 reason to believe in god...because its true)

How many of you have ever really wondered....is this whole God thing real? Is there really someone out
there?
.zy(ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT QUESTION IS WHERE REAL PASSION COMES BC IF HE IS....)

Psalm 53:1 the fool says in his heart there is no God

Evidences God exists by Bowman
1. Evidence of existence
Romans 4:17 "god...calls into being that which does not exist"
- The world has not always existed
P. 54
- Seems fixed to make life possible
(narrow range)
- bio life bears marks of intelligent design
- world is a place where some things are right and some are not
2. Evidence of fallen world
Matthew 5:45 " god makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, sends rain on just and unjust" jesus

3. Evidence of bible's reliability
" grass withers and flowers fade but word of our god stands foever" isaiah 40:8

4. Evidence of bible' fullfilled prophecy
Isaiah 45:21

5. Evidence of Jesus' life
"Consider jesus" hebrews 3:1

6. Evidence of jesus claims, death, and resurrection

7. Evidence of those who lived / died for christ
Romans 14:8-9 , Paul
8. Evidence of the uniqueness of christ
John 14:6

3 smart things you would do if this were true
1. Find out who he is and what he wants
2. Trade it all in
3. Tell others, prove ur faith ( not idle)

3 unintelligent things you would do if this were true
1. Ignore it
2. Give up his plan for the momentary
3. not really look into it

Video of einstein

Books-
reason for the hope within
20 compelling evidences god exists

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Your Neighborhood

2011-05-13T23:57:00.002-05:00

When was the last time you spent an entire evening with your neighbors?

When was the last time you allowed your kids to simply be kids and enjoy and evening of playing, creating life-long memories, and developing a foundation for who they will be as they grow up? When was the last time you served those who actually live closest to you?

I actually asking myself all those questions as I sat tonight from this view (see pic) and watch 5+ families from our neighborhood enjoy an outdoor movie night together. The kids (and adults) watched, danced, ate together and ran around playing all night - what a great time!

I'm truly blessed to have fallen in with such great neighbors and in such a great neighborhood. It's a joy to be apart of a street that is actually a community. On behalf of Erin, Olivia, Benjamin, and even little Lucy I declare us this night blessed.

PS - we will have to do this AGAIN and invite tons more people!

Baptism and Bagels

2011-04-19T16:18:00.000-05:00

Baptism and Bagels: "Bring your family to a special Student Ministry Easter Baptism."

This weekend as we approach Easter our Student Ministry is hosting a special baptism service for students and their families. What a better time to make your baptism memorable then on Easter Sunday. We will host the families for breakfast (bagels!), take family pictures on the special day by the fountain, and have a brief baptism orientation for the entire family before out baptism during the 11am service.

I look forward to all that will take this significant step of obedience on the day we celebrate the Risen Christ!

Dance Your Shoes Off - Second's Youtube Broadcasted Celebration of the Risen Savior!!

2011-04-13T13:27:00.003-05:00

More than 2,000 people from Second Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, gathered at Discovery Green in the heart of Houston to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The purpose of Dance Your Shoes Off was to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ in a powerful and celebratory way. Most importantly, each participant left a new pair of shoes on the field for those in need. These shoes will be given to local mission agencies, including Star of Hope, individuals all across the world through our mission partners and mission trips. I'm so honored to be a part of a church that has fun as we shout from the streets about a risen Savior! Please join us for Easter @ Second at one of 16 services from Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24.

Visit http://www.second.org for worship times and locations.

PS - my daughter olivia has about a 3 sec apprearance sitting in her papa's shoulders - so CUTE!

Night of Promise

2011-04-05T16:57:00.000-05:00

As a parent, I can’t think of too many things more frightening than the teen sex-stats in America today. The latest poll shows that 75% of teenagers have had sex by the time they graduate High School and only 15% remain virgins until the age of 21. We live in a world that is working overtime in convincing our students that sex is a part of the teenage life and we, as the church, are committed to redirecting the conversation and letting them know what God, the creator of sex has to say about it.

I hope our parents will consider this a personal invitation to an event on Friday, April 15^th at 6:00pm called “Night of Promise” where we’ll be addressing this very thing. If you have a teenager, I highly recommend you making this a priority in your family. Your family will enjoy a catered meal and then have an evening of worship together, as we look the God’s Word to define when and where sexuality ought to be a part of our lives. The evening will conclude with a ‘Commitment’ time. If you would like to purchase a purity ring, they are available in the bookstore at the North Campus. Tickets for the dinner are $10 per person and the evening attire is business casual. Please contact Crista Henderson at chenderson@second.org to RSVP as soon as possible. I hope to see you at Night of Promise.

Over the next 2 weeks we will teaching a two-part series at Motion (our Wednesday night for 7-8graders) called "Promises, Promises." We will be discussing what it means to honor God with our promises of purity in all things sexual and the promises God in turn makes to those who choose to do so. I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you (if you are a parent) to have your 7-8 grader there.

April 6 - Promises, Promises Week1

April 13 - Promises, Promises Week 2

Communicate, communicate, communicate

2011-03-29T15:27:00.002-05:00

What is at the root of what I "DO" as a pastor? Not who I am, but what I DO?

The answer (in my book) - is that i'm a communicator - not just a preacher or teacher, but a communicator. My job is communicate the Gospel and all activities of His Church that reflect and point to that Gospel. In order to reach students, parents, families - I must (you must) learn to effectively communicate. Above is an example of a simple communicate piece that we use here in the Second Student's ministry. It is found on tables, in visitor letters, and given out like candy to communicate what we are doing to reach students. I'm by no means saying that this is the best tool (it's actually not) or that I have the art of communication down (a totally don't), but one thing that I recognize is this: second to who I am in Christ overflowing into my ministry, is how I communicate.

I keep this simple flyer posted in my office to remind me of that simple fact. Communication is key!

Will U Dance Your Shoes Off? (April 10th, 3pm)

2011-03-29T15:20:00.008-05:00

Okay, people, if I am willing to do this, then you should be willing to DANCE YOUR SHOES OFF!!!!!

The Second Family (Next Level, students, adults) is invited to participate in a very special event on the NEW date and time of Sunday, Apr. 10 at 3PM! We will gather downtown at Discovery Green to celebrate the resurrection of Christ through the gift of dance. The performance will be filmed and posted on You Tube, Facebook, Vimeo, etc as part of Second's Easter promotion. What an exciting opportunity to invite people to celebrate Easter with the Second Family as we tell our city and the world about the good news of Christ!

go to www.second.org to register your family today!

Beach Retreat PRE-Game

2011-03-25T11:43:00.000-05:00

There's only 73 days until we will bring 2000+ High School students here to Orange Beach...we are here getting ready for them, setting up condos, and cutting up alot!

Don't miss Beach Retreat 2011!

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Belize Mission 2011...

2011-03-18T01:32:00.004-05:00

This Spring Break has been one for the record books. No doubt the Lord has birthed a new thing in the hearts of us Student Pastors here at Second as we took our students for the 1st time to Belize in a new partnership with a trusted friend there. I truly feel that this could be the beginning of a long term endeavor to both reach the people of Orange Walk, Belize with the good news of Jesus, and also a great new place to send our students to experience what it means to serve others, boldly proclaim Christ, and expand their view of the world. I could share tons of other pictures and will on www.second.org in the coming days but I really cherish those of our group from the North Campus - this team was fabulous - they served sacrificially, never complained, and witnessed fristhand what it means to give others the ONE THING they need the most - Jesus Christ!

Belize Mission 2011 - Day 1

2011-03-14T23:25:00.005-05:00

Today we started our project in the Douglas Village outside of Orange Walk, Belize. It was hot, hard work, and I loved every minute of it! Really enjoyed watching our students serve and share Christ. Here are some pictures of our location, our project, and our time spent at the school in the village.

Here we are constructing a bridge that will allow villagers a way to church in the flooding season. (below) One of our students sharing Christ in the school to 100+ kids. Great day!

Guarding my kids from a heart attack

2011-03-07T16:10:00.003-06:00

We currently are teaching a series called "Heart Attack" in our High School Bible Study @ Second so I wrote this for our Church's blog but just as I finished it I thought about my own family and how vastly important it is that we (Erin and I) OURSELVES are guarding our own 3 precious kids from some dangerous heart issues. As I shaped these tips for our parents I wanted to challenge myself myself via this blog!

Parenting a teen is a tough task. Today’s youth face a multitude of pressures, problems and pervasive influences. Current teen statistics give us an idea just how big a challenge we face in keeping our teens out of trouble. With nearly 1 million American teens becoming pregnant each year, more than 80 percent of youth reporting alcohol use and 69 percent of teens receiving personal messages from strangers over the Internet, parents are desperate to raise teens who beat the odds and become more than a statistic.

Each day, teens face pressure from themselves, their peers, their parents and other authority figures. There is virtually no escape from the pressures to fit in and go along with the crowd rather than do what’s right. These stressors result in many teens walking a fine line they struggle not to cross. Like the apostle Paul, many Christian teens find themselves doing the things they don’t want to do and not doing the things they want or know they should do (Romans 7:15).

Long gone are the days of knocking on your neighbor’s door and going outside for an activity. Today’s teens can interact virtually with their neighbor across the street (or a stranger from across the world) with the click of a button. From laptops to cell phones, most gadgets are designed to be used alone and often promote anonymous usage and seclusion. Today’s teens can “connect” without really “connecting,” and parents are often left wondering whom their children are really spending time with. For parents who aren’t as tech savvy as their teens, monitoring electronic activities can be quite a challenge.

And using technology comes with temptations. While the Internet definitely has its benefits, it doesn’t take much effort for the most innocent teen to end up on sites he or she never dreamed existed. By simply transposing the letters of a Web address, your son’s search can land on a pornography site. By clicking on a link while doing research for a school assignment, your daughter could find a blog that shares videos, pictures or information she never should have viewed.

The good news is parents can actively help guard their teens’ hearts and minds against the pervasive influences of today’s world.

1. Know your role.As a Christian parent, your role runs deep and includes training your children (Proverbs 22:6), bringing them up in instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4), teaching them (Deuteronomy 4:9), disciplining them (Proverbs 19:18), correcting them (Proverbs 29:15), being an example to them (2 Kings 14:3), loving them from a pure heart (Mark 12:29-31), helping them to follow God faithfully (Proverbs 1:7,8), teaching them self-control (Galatians 5:23) and being an authority figure (Ephesians 6:1).

2. Know your goal.Your ultimate parenting goal is for your children to love God and to make God-honoring decisions. To do this, your focus must move from punishment to discipline, training and character building. We must teach our children to make choices based on the conviction of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) rather than based on fear of condemnation from their parents or their peers.

3. Understand the difference between a privilege and a right.Children have few basic rights. They have the right to food, clothing, shelter, love and safety. But things like cell phones, video games and Internet access are privileges. Privileges should be earned, and your teens should understand that any privilege can easily be revoked.

4. Understand that teens need guidance.Did you know that some research indicates the cause-and-effect part of the brain isn’t fully developed until we reach our 20s? Teens can’t always measure the meaning of their choices, and they need guidance as they learn to make good ones.

5. Use the Bible as your primary guiding tool.There is no better source for life-shaping wisdom and guidance than God’s Word. Psalm 119 offers a wealth of information on the benefits of the Word in our lives. By teaching your children the ultimate authority of Scripture, you establish a foundation for everything else you communicate to them. Encourage teens to argue with the Word of God, rather than with you. Have an issue? Ask them what the Bible says about the topic. Let God be the Head Coach in your family.

6. Know what they are doing and with whom.Sometimes, through simple inaction, we can place our kids in temptation’s path without even realizing it. Your teens’ choice of friends and activities should not be left to their young and inexperienced conscience. Take a daily personal interest in your teens’ activities. Pay attention to how they spend their time, and get to know their friends well.

7. Be more caring than controlling.When addressing why something isn’t acceptable, send the message to your teen that you’re on their side. Move from lecturing to discussing, from demanding to asking, from justice to grace, and from less telling to more listening.

8. Have a “this is mine, and you are using it” attitude.If you pay the bills, convey to your teens that whatever they have is yours and they are using it. Certainly, do so with the caring attitude just mentioned. Making this clarification helps teens understand that you have the right to know what calls, e-mails, text messages, etc., are coming in and going out of your home and how the devices you have paid for are being used.

9. Encourage your teens to build face-to-face relationships.Many of today’s tech toys foster anti-social behavior. Encourage involvement with groups and activities that promote healthy, face-to-face relationships. Proverbs 18:24 might serve as a warning against today’s many superficial connections: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

10. Eat dinner together.Children who eat regular meals with their families are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. During mealtime, take time to catch up on the day’s events. Teens need to feel loved and accepted by their families. When they do, they are less likely to look for love and acceptance elsewhere.

11. Have oversight and accountability.Be up front with your teen about what is acceptable and what is not. Teens can’t meet or exceed your expectations if they don’t know what they are. Empower your teen to make choices and hold them accountable by using predictable consequences. Many parents have written contracts with their teens that outline house rules and the consequences for breaking them. Keep the computer in the family room, have an open access password policy, insist your teen accept you as their friend on social networking sites and monitor their Internet, cell phone and other electronics usage.

12. Use filtering tools.From the television to the Internet, filtering tools can help you control what content your teen has access to and what content has access to your teen. Some of the most popular filtering tools include Covenant Eyes for the Internet and ClearPlay for home movie viewing. Parents can set locks on cable television channels, place blocks on cell phones and can restrict access to Internet sites. Many families visit Focus on the Family’s Plugged In Online (pluggedin.com) to read about movies prior to viewing them and insist that their teens use Christian alternatives for social networking (faithlight.com, for example).

Most importantly, use each of these steps in partnership with prayer. Pray for your teens every day. Pray that their hearts, minds, ears and eyes are guarded and that they do not fall into temptation. Above all else, that’s the single most powerful thing you/we can do.

SBC's JUMP "Flash Mob" hits Town Center in Kingwood...what?

2010-12-13T12:09:00.001-06:00

Saw this happen last Sunday...totally "random" ;)

Christmas Traditions...

2010-12-12T16:21:00.005-06:00

The Harris family is starting a few new Family Christmas Traditions this year that I hope we can carry on for many years into the future.

This year we made a strand of construction paper with friend's and family's names on them (one for each day until Christmas) - every night during our advent devotional we pray for that brother, sister, grandparent, or neighbor in our life. I really have enjoyed seeing the kids get into it. "Dad, Dad, who are we praying for tonight!!??" - pure parenting joy!
This year we also are resurrecting an old Harris family tradition of letting the kids pick out each other presents - which they will get to open on Christmas Eve (I always used to buy something I wanted for my brother and vice versa; then we would switch!)

No matter what your Family Christmas traditions are I hope you will make Christmas @ Second a part of that tradition! Visit www.christmasatsecond.org to see all that is happening for your friends and family this year @ Second!

taco.rey bf marathon

2010-11-05T18:09:00.001-05:00

how do u prep for the ING NYC Marathon? taco rey with friends and family in Nederland,Tx #ingnation

Belize Trip Oct '10

2010-11-01T10:18:00.001-05:00

croc hunting

How to work with a team (Part 2)

2010-10-12T22:31:00.001-05:00

Again, great teams don't just "happen" it takes work and effort, but the payoff is HUGE!

Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, makes this statement:

"If you could get all the people in an organization rowing in the same direction, you would dominate and industry, in any market, against any competition, at any time." Powerful statement - especially when applied to a team that is positioned to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

here is part 2 of how to work with a team...

6. Resolve Team CONFLICT. No team can avoid conflict, nor should try it. Conflict is the inevitable result of people's working closely together. If there's never any noticeable conflict then there's probably something lurking under the surface, and that's the most dangerous kind. Among Christians conflict should never become the norm not should it escalate to abuse, bit it is inevitable so don't be startled or dispirited by it, but do resolve it! When conflict comes, it's the leader's job to deal with it. Conflicts should be addressed quickly and directly (Eph 4:26) and in a spirit of love (Eph 4:15). When you procrastinate on dealing with problems, it's like walking around with a rock in your shoe, you can still walk but not without constant annoyance and that problem will not go away until you stop, take off the shoe and remove the irritant!

7. Have a plan for GROWING each of your team members. As a servant-leader you should pursue the personal and professional well-being OR advancement of each team member. Pray for them. Encourage their growth. Coach them. When they outgrow their present position find them more challenging one. Don't be worried if they move up - it makes the leadership over them look good!

8. Know you team members and allow them to KNOW you. Some leaders think they should remain aloof from their subordinates; maintain distance and even a measure of indifference. Know your team members but don't let them know you. but this is not a biblical model - - Jesus had a mutually intimate relationship with his disciples. Jesus knew them, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27. ..."I have called your friends (John 15:15). The apostle Paul had a close relationship with his disciples , notice the terms of endearment he used addressing Timothy in 1&2 Timothy 1:2, and he spoke fondly to his followers (1 Thess 2:8)

9. Empower each team member; give them opportunity, freedom, and RESPONSIBILITY. Recruit good people and then empower them to do their work! Give them the authority to make decisions and support their decisions. Don't micromanage.

Allow people to fail. Allowing ppl to fail empower them to succeed in ways they would never imagined. Don't punish failure; punish passivity. Failure at least implies some sort of output. Also, create an environment in which if people fail, they'll have a "soft-landing." If there is a failure of failure in your organization /team there won't be much experimentation, innovation ,or learning.

10. Periodically, as a team, analyze and EVALUATE how you're working together.
Spend time talking to each other about how the team is working. Ask questions like these:

Are we benefiting from the power of synergy or is everyone just pulling their won weight?
Do we engage in real dialogue and healthy conflict?
Does anyone feel isolated or alone?
Are we being honest with each other?
How can we do a better job of compensating for each other's weaknesses and highlighting straights?

Go Team!

selections and ideas from NEXT Worldwide Catalyst Leadership Experience

Why was Batman the greatest Superhero?

2010-10-01T08:00:00.002-05:00

Character & Leadership...

Leadership is more about who we are than what we do, it's true. It is doing the same things in the dark (while no one is watching) as we do in the light (where everyone is watching) - that is the essence of true leadership that others want to follow. Hollow leadership may make an impact but it will not endure.

I've been reading a great deal on leading the next generation and here is one thing that I'm finding...young people are not missing out on the leadership principles that enable them to lead others - it's the principles that enable them to lead themselves that are being missed. It's the Character issues missing; not the leadership tactics.

We set young leaders up for a fall if we encourage them to envision what
they can do before they consider the kind of person they should be. - R. Ruth Barton

Character is the WILL to do what's right even when it's hard - Andy Stanley

Character is WHO YOU ARE, EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING. - Bill Hybels

You can lead without character.

But Character is what makes you a leader worth following. Integrity is not necessary if your aspirations as a leader simply end with persuading people to follow you. But if at the end of the day your intent is for those who follow you to respect you, integrity is a must. You accomplishments as a leader will make you name known. Your Character will determine what people associate with your name.

"A good name (character) is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold." - Proverbs 22:1

Are you a Good Leader or a Great Leader??

2010-09-25T10:28:00.000-05:00

There are many characteristics of a good leader, but here are a few that I have observed that are indispensable... whether you're leading your family, a team, an organization large or small great leaders posses these traits:

Courage

True leadership is having the courage to go where others will not or have not gone or will not go. It's not the absence of fear but the determination that there is something greater. True leaders demonstrate courage in their families, in conflict, and in taking new ground.

Initiative

Vision without action is just a dream. Leaders take initiative to get things moving around them. True leaders, no matter what level they are in their organization or what they are leading, are self-starters - they are always looking for the next action needed. Without initiative everyone would wait on everyone else to make a move - leaders make that move.

Decisiveness

Leaders make decisions. That may sound simple but one of the characteristics of a leader is that they will make the call. Without decisiveness from the leader everyone makes their own assumptions, their won plans, and their own agenda - all of which may be far from the vision of the leader. It is not enough to have goals and vision - someone has to decide how it will get done. Great family leaders are decisive, great athletic leaders are decisive, and leaders of great organizations know the power of decisiveness.

Optimism

Great leaders are positive people. Great leaders posses a "can-do" attitude and avoid pessimistic ways of looking at their situation. They give a part of who they are in this area to those who they are leading.

Integrity
It is a leaders "walk" that either discredits their "talk" or validates it. A leader's words mean nothing without a strong testimony to back them up. Leadership is always more about who we are than what we do. You can lead without Character, but Character is what makes you a leader worth following. Do those who follow you see you as a person of Character?

For each one of these ask...

Why is this an indispensible trait for a leder to have?

What happens when the trait is missing?

One a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself relative to this character trait? (1 - i need to work on this, 10 - I excel at this)

Wherever You Are…Be Fully There

2010-09-23T00:17:00.001-05:00

[ Here is a great commentary on cell phones and us on http://www.leadingsmart.com/ - I completely agree; I have alot of personal work to do in this area so i can value those I'm with more and more ]

Teens get a lot of grief about how much time they spend on their phones. I hear adults say, “They never put their phones down!” or “He is texting non-stop!” or “I bet she couldn’t live a day without her phone.” But in truth, teens do what teens see. And I see adults every day who belittle others because of bad phone habits.

One day last year I got up before daylight, and spent hours traveling by plane to go across the country for the sole purpose of a one-hour meeting with some leaders for whom I have huge respect. During the meeting, there were several occasions when each of those leaders picked up their phone to read or type. At the same time, they glanced up at me on occasion as I was talking, said “uh huh,” then continued to “thumble” with their phone. I’m not a touchy-feely type of guy, but on that day I felt devalued. I walked away from that meeting purposed in my heart to never do that to anyone.

Here are a few habits I appreciate in others and try to put to practice…

When you start a meeting, turn your ringer off and move it away from you. If the screen comes to life when you get a text–then put the phone upside down so you won’t see it. If it is likely to vibrate, then put it somewhere it can’t be felt or heard.

If your phone does vibrate during the meeting and your guest says, “Go ahead and take that if you need to” — reach down and silence it without even looking. This communicates to your guest that they are very valuable to you.

Don’t buy into the “what if there is an emergency?” line. Rarely does that happen. It’s not a good excuse for having to look at your phone multiple times through every meeting.

If you know you will need to be reached during the meeting, let your guest know, “My wife is at the doctors office and may need to reach me, so I apologize in advance that I’ll be taking her call when it comes.” That tells your guest this is an exception–you wouldn’t normally do this.

If you are in a meeting with multiple people–follow the same rules. Don’t convince yourself that your participation isn’t needed right now so you can disengage and respond to texts or play your next turn in Words With Friends.We fool ourselves into thinking we can multitask, or that our disengagement won’t be noticed for a few minutes. Not true.

I’m not saying phones are evil or every time you use your phone you are devaluing others. I’m a heavy smart-phone user. Your phone doesn’t need to be out of sight every time you interact with another human. There are times when I’m sitting around with 5 or 6 friends or family members and every one of us has a phone out. That’s part of the 21st century. I think it can actually enhance the conversation and social interaction. But there are times when you have limited interaction with others when you should be ALL there.

It’s about valuing people. And sometimes that means we are looking in their eyes and being fully engaged so we can really listen to their story and hear their heart.

Think about it.

- Tim Stevens

How to work with a team (Part 1)

2010-09-19T23:00:00.001-05:00

A compilation of great individuals does not automatically create a great team. It takes wisdom and effort to mold the group into an organism in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Here are some suggestions on how to do that with your team...

1. Spend TIME as a team, both on the job and socially.

If your team is to function as a team and not just a group of individuals you need to spend time together. EMails and conference calls may be adequate to handle your tactical issues at work but for a spirit of a corps to develop you need face to face time. A regularly planned staff retreat will help meet this need. (I try to take my team away or 2 days every quarter or so for some "non-work" days. (ranch days, beach retreats, lake days or just a day of fun around town goes a long way) Spend time socially together, lunches, travel as a team. Don't bring someone on your team you wouldn't enjoy hanging out with over lunch!

2. Spend time with INDIVIDUAL team members.

Pursue developing a personal relationship with each of your team members. Show genuine concern for their personal well-being and not just how they function organizationally. The Gallup organization found that no single factor more clearly predicts the productivity of a team-member than his relationship with his direct supervisor. They found people are most productive when they feel their supervisor cares for them, praises then regularly, and encourages their own growth. Get to know the people on your team!

3. Encourage real COMMUNICATION and honest dialogue among team members.

Real communication occurs in a group where everyone is encouraged and allowed to give their unfiltered input on a particular issue. It is based on the truth that any idea or thought will be improved up on when submitted to the wisdom of others. Create an environment among your team that is like a great movie - it contains conflict! Create an environment where there is freedom to disagree and discuss controversial issues. The best team look like battlegrounds behind closed doors and unite outside closed doors.

4. Encourage EXCHANGE

It's been said that, "we can learn a lot about a person by observing his library and his friends." We are all influenced by others. Encourage your team to "rub off on each other." Goof people get better when they're around other good people, so the time your team spends together will enhance each person.

5. Make sure your team is benefiting from SYNERGY.

If one ox can pull a 4,500lb load, how much can two oxen yoked together pull? 9000 lbs? No, because of the synergy that is developed through the two pulling together they are able to tow 12, 000 lbs! That's the power of synergy! Synergy is the energy that is generated through the working together of various parts of processes. Stephen Covey describes compromise as 1 +1 = 1.5 and synergy as 1+1 = 3. A team taps into the power of synergy.

What are you doing to intentionally develop your team?

What team are you a part of? How are your contributing to the team's growth?

adapted from Next Worldwide: Catalyst Leadership Experience

How to create a team (part 2)

2010-09-15T11:00:00.001-05:00

Great Teams don't just happen - here is Part 2 on tips of how to create a Great Team...

5. Avoid the law of dimishing LEADERSHIP (Russian Doll Syndrome)

Surround yourself with people who are bigger than you are

This suggestion is not for the insecure or paranoid. It takes a lot of emotional fortitude and self-confidence to recruit and empower people who are smarter, more competent, more edgy, and more connected than you are. But if you don/t, you and your organization will fall prey to the Matryoshka Doll Syndrome.
A favorite among the Russian children, the Matryoshka Doll is a series o wooden dolls that get progressively smaller and smaller. open up the largest doll ans you'l find smaller, identical doll inside. Open up that doll and there is a smaller one yet. Some dolls ahve as many as 15 dolls inside.

6. Choose HEALTHY, competent team members.

Here are some characteristics of Healthy Competent team members...

Emotional Health - it's importnat that you choose team members who are emotionally healthy. Just one emotionally unhealthy team member can poison the entire atmosphere of your team. Signs of emotional unhealth include uncontrolled temper, critical spirit, mood swings, unwillingness to admit wrong dong, controlling behaviors, territorialism, overly sensitive to criticism and correction ( thin-skinned), unable to accept correction, and others.
Good People Skills - This topic is one of the soft skills a team member needs to have - it's non-negotiable. Choose people who are friendly, empathetic, good listeners, unselfish, encouraging of others, respectful, and accepting of others.
Positive attitude - Choose people who have a "can-do" attitude and who are optimistic. Negative pessimistic people will be an emotional drain on the whole team.
Good Character - Don't choose anyone who engages in unethical, immoral or illegal bhaviors. Also, choose individuals who demonstrate key character traits that are indispensible for leaders such as courage, initiative, decisiveness and optimism.
Passion - Ideally your team members will have passion for whatever it is that you are asking them to do. IF you're asking them to serve on the Men's Ministry Team, they'll be passionate about men's ministry. But beyond that, recruit people who live passionately regardless of their situation or assignment. Choose people who are fully alive bc they will bring that energy to work with them regardless if the tak is appealing to them.
Team Player - if your team is truly to function as a team and not just as a group of individuals you must recruit team players. Soloist are not welcome here! Recruit individuals who are willing to submit to the group, who have a desire to serve and prefer others, who relish team achievement more than individual accolades. Recruit people who "play well in the sandbox with others."
Evident Gift - Peter Drucker advises, " When you look at a potential leader and don't see even one great strength, don't choose him - even if you see no great weakness." Often, we screen optential condidates by looking for flaws, and if we spot one, that person is eliminated, but this approach may result in a mediocre team, You must recruit leaders who are strong in at least one area; everyone should have an evident gift. Choose team memebres who "bring something to the table."
Competence (skils) - Thie final trait to look for when choosing team members / leaders is technical competence. IF you're recruiting an organist to serve on the music ministry team, he needs to be a good organist. If you're recruiting someone for your communications team and her job is to develop the web site, choose someon who has the tech skills for the job. But notice that I've placed skills at the end of the list to consider...Oftern it's the first and only thin we look for, but it should be one of many.

7. Build a DIVERSE team.

We are all prone to chooose people who are similar to us, but a team will be stronger if it is diverse. Pursue diversity of age, gifts, personality, gender, and background; look for unamity in values, beliefs and culture.
ALL KEY POSITIONS FILLED - When building a team stay with it until all key positions are filled. When he was a manager with the Chicago Cubs Charlie Grimm reported recieving a phone call from one of his scouts. "Charlie I've landed the greatest young pitcher in the land! he struck out every mand who came to bat. Twenty-seven in a row! nobody even hit a foul until the ninth ining. The pitcher is righ with me. What should I do?" Charlie replied, "Sign up the guy who go the foul. We're looking for hitters!"

8. Consider CULTURE issues when choosing team members.

Every organization has its own unique culture - the sum of its values, beliefs, and norms of behavior. Culture truns deep; its like the current of a wide and deep river - it may be unseen but it is a powerful force and difficult to change. It's not quite as fundamental as DNA but it is very primal. Pick people who match your culture.

Building a team isn't east or simple - but if you vision is grand enough or important enought then second to your vision is the people you pick to assist you in accomplishing it! Go Team!

How to create a team (Part 1)

2010-09-14T08:30:00.002-05:00

IF YOU HAVE A VISION YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH ON YOUR OWN, YOUR VISION IS NOT BIG ENOUGH.

Here are some suggestions on how to build a great team.

1. Select team members, don't just RECRUIT Volunteers.

It's usually best to select team members as opposed to letting individuals volunteer for your team. This is particularly applicable to non-profit organizations that depend a lot on volunteers (our churches).

Building an effective team is too important to leave to chance and to other people's whims. Often, people have scant insight into whether or not they are right for particular job and they make hasty decisions based on dubious motivations ("I feel guilty that no one else is volunteering for this need.") When Jesus Began his earthly ministry, he hand-picked twelve men; he didn't ask for volunteers.

2. A Leader should be intricately INVOLVED in compiling his/her team

A leader should have the authority and responsibility to choose her team members. Sometimes a leader inherits a team; in which case, she has to start with what she's been given. But whenever possible, the leader should have significant input in to the process. So when choosing team members, ask others to help you; submit these decisions to the wisdom of others.

3. Carefully SELECT your team members.

There's an old adage handed down from the garment industry: Measure twice, cut once. Before a seamstress cuts an expensive bolt of cloth he measures multiple times because one the cut is made it cannot be changed.

Southwest Airlines takes great care in hiring its employees; their 33.000 employees are hand-picked in a screening process that is statistically more rigorous that getting into an Ivy League School. Prospective pilots have been known to disqualify themselves by being curt to receptionists before interviews. Hiring managers sometimes pose as applicants to get unfiltered impressions of job candidates in the waiting room.

Here is what some leading authorities say about the importance of carefully choosing team members.

"How you select people is more important than how you manage them once they're on the job. if you start with the right people, you won't have problems later on. If you hire the wrong people, for whatever reason, you're in serious trouble and all revolutionary management techniques in the world won't bail you out." -Red Auerbach, longtime Boston Celtics President

" A Leader's most important decision fall in to two categories: big bets on people and big bets on strategy. The people decisions are arguably more important because they heavily influence the strategy decisions." - David Nadler, Harvard Business Review

"Given the many things that businesses cant control (the economy, competitors) you'd think that they would pay more careful attention to the one thing they can control - the quality of people, especially those in the leadership pool."

4. Choose LEADERS (or potential leaders)

If you want your organization to just function smoothly, choose followers for your team. But if you want your organization to grow and be robust, recruit leaders.

Every organization is restricted by its leadership quotient (the number of leaders in your organization and how competent they are). The higher your leadership quotient, the more your organization will grow and be healthy. So always try to choose leaders to serve on your team, not just followers, and if a team member is lacking in leadership capabilities, train him.

more on how to create a team on Part 2...

Men who lack adult supervision

2010-09-13T10:37:00.004-05:00

This is funny stuff - just wanted to share....

Yesterday Craig Reynolds shared a powerful message for fathers & husbands (and future fathers & husbands) entitled "Dads of the Greatest Generation." I hope to share it when it comes out on www.second.org, but until then be entertained by the following:

Do you REALLY believe in Me?

2010-09-12T18:27:00.008-05:00

One of the most persistent questions looming in young minds: "What do THEY think of me?"

As a Dad and as a Student Pastor I'm convinced that the young people in my sphere of influence need to hear that I authentically believe in them, that I have confidence in their ability to lead a life of significance here and now for Christ. Today our adult Student Ministry Leadership Team gathered together and we challenged each other as to the messages we are sending out to those students we minister to and those kids in our home who God has placed in our trust. Here are some bullet-point notes from today.

We successfully convey the message "I believe in you" when we practice 2 approaches:

What happened: NOTICE and NAME specific Character Traits

STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN

What could happen: Encourage STRENGTHS rather than constantly correcting WEAKNESSES

THE BIG QUESTION: Are my students / kids CONVINCED that I truly believe in them?

A students (your kids) will more likely trust that God believes in him/ her when he/she feels confident in your belief first.

Even God the Father felt that this message was valid enough to communicate to His Son in the presence of all that were there on the day of His baptism we as have it recorded that God spoke audibly saying, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased" Matthew 3:17

What conclusion do you think your students / children would draw when they ask "What do THEY think of me?"
What overall message does your ministry send to students?
How do you/ your leaders / your family practically convey this message?
How does our confidence in kids mirror the confidence God Himself has in them?
Are those under your care convinced that you genuinely believe in them?

topic and selected passages from David Stall's Words Kids Need to Hear