Daryl Strickland

They showed this at the C3 conference last week and it cracked me up. If you don’t know who Joel Osteen is, don’t watch it.

I am reading more an more blogs and articles online and MOST negative comments have no link to the author or a bogus address. Why is it that critics are usually cowards. I know this seems harsh, especially coming from me but it burns me up when people that don’t have the guts to attempt something have no problem ripping up people up that do. I have heard it said that there have been no monuments built to critics and it’s true.

I have personally resolved to throw away or delete any comments I receive that are anonymous. If you don’t have the guts to identify yourself, you will not receive any space in my head, on my blog or in my inbox.

So many people have shaped who I am as a person. I probably could list my top 50 but here is 15 leaders that I look up to and have had a positive impact on me and my leadership (in no particular order).

1. Dino Rizzo
2. Matt Fry
3. John Maxwell
4. Bill Hybels
5. T.D. Jakes
6. Perry Noble
7. Andy Stanley
8. Charles Stanley
9. Dan Reiland
10. Reggie Joiner 
11. Greg Surratt
12. Jeff Kapusta
13. Craig Groeschel
14. Ken Blanchard
15. Adrian Rogers

God is doing some amazing things in our city right now but the truth is, the best is yet to come. If we can stay focused on God’s direction and His agenda, there is no limit to what impact we can have on this city, this nation and this world.

Jeff played this song for us in staff meeting today and God grabbed my heart.

One of our local TV stations is doing a series on what the church will look like in 2020. The featured church this week was none other than Lifepoint. You always wonder how these things will turn out and I think this one was good. Here is a link to the online version of the story.

Thanks Andy!

I heard so many one liners at this conference that I probably will have enough quote of the days for all of 2008.

This one was from Jenn Sangl (she was actually quoting Dave Ramesy but she is cool and I am giving her credit). Jenn is the lovely wife of Joe Sangl. They both work at NewSpring Church and are great people. They were also at C3 this week.

“Your raise is effective when you are!”

Who knows where we are in this picture?

Me and Jeff just got back from the Big D and I am both exhausted and exhilarated. The food was great, the conference was great, Fellowship Church is great!

I will post more from the sessions over the next few days but TD Jakes and Perry Noble hit some long balls over the fence.

Jeff and I head out for Dallas in the morning for the C3 conference and I am pumped. First of all, I love Texas food. TexMex ROCKS! Secondly, this is probably the most diverse group of church leaders that I have been around in one setting. Here is the lineup.

Ed Young -Fellowship Church - Dallas, TX - Ed is a creative leader that is a pace setter in the church world.
Bishop T.D. Jakes - The Potter’s House - Dallas, TX - I really look up to this guy. He is an awesome teacher and communicator. Bishop Jakes is a ministry visionary, successful entrepreneur and spiritual sheherd to millions around the globe. He pastors The Potter’s House, a multiracial, life-filled, non-denominational church with a passion for active outreach initiatives.

Brian Houston - Hillsong Church - Sydney, Australia - Brian Houston and his wife Bobbie started Hillsong Church in 1983 in what was then a school hall in the Baulkham Hills, Sydney. It is now considered the largest church in Australia, incorporating two major worship centres, a citywide network of connect groups, extension services across the city and growing congregations in London, Kiev and Paris.

Tommy Barnett - Phoenix First Assembly of God - Phoenix, Arizona - Tommy Barnett is the Senior Pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in America, Phoenix First Assembly of God, in Phoenix, Arizona. The church is known as The Church with a Heart. Phoenix First is a church committed to reaching the city, country and world for God.

In 1994, as a result of the invitation from the Southern California District of the Assemblies of God, Tommy Barnett launched the Los Angeles Dream Center as a home missions project. And today the ministry epitomizes Pastor Barnett’s quote, “Find a need and fill it, find a hurt and heal it.”

Mac Richard - Lake Hills Church - Austin, TX - Mac Richard is the founding and Senior Pastor of Lake Hills Church in Austin, Texas. Beginning with a group of fifteen people, Lake Hills has grown to one of the largest churches in Austin. Mac’s passion is to reach people with Christ’s message of hope by creatively using today’s tools and technology.
Perry Noble - NewSpring Church - Anderson, South Carolina - Perry Noble is the founding and senior pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina. This is a church that we track with closely and Perry is a good friend of our ministry.

I can’t wait!!!

I remember a story that Andy Stanley told a few years ago where he was walking on the beach with his son. Andy said he would walk a while and look back and his son was way behind. At first he was frustrated that he wasn’t keeping up, then he realized that it wasn’t his son’s fault. His legs were just shorter and Andy needed to slow down.

There is a strong leadership principle here. As leaders, it is easy for us to look back and get frustrated that people are so far behind where we want them to be. At this point we are so tempted blame them but in reality, most of the time we just need to slow down and bring them along with us.

If you have a people with short legs on your team, slow down and walk with them until their able to run full speed.