Monthly Archives: December 2006

After church thoughts

Posted on
Reply

This weekend was the last weekend of 2006. I can’t believe how fast it went!

Highlights from the weekend…

- This was not a normal weekend. Pastor Vern (our Director of Discipleship and Pastoral
Care) and I did a team teaching in which we shared identified Northgate core values and
looked ahead to 2007 and beyond. I’ve never taught with anyone else. It was a neat
experience that we will do again.

- We wrapped up our nine week Tithing Challenge today! The deal was this…
- Tithe (i.e. give 10% to God) at every pay period for the next nine weeks(end Dec. 31)
- Carefully manage the other 90% (if you lose at Vegas the bets off!)
- Watch for God to do something “Uniquely God”
 – If you don’t see God do something that can only be attributed to Him then we’ll give
your money back!
55 people took the challenge and no one quit! It was a great journey for all of us!
(Someone walked up to me last night and said, “Just cause we didn’t fill out the card
doesn’t mean we didn’t take the challenge” – so apparently were more than 55! Praise
God!)

- We had 717 people in worship services this weekend.

- This was a long service… but the candy canes halfway through the teaching helped!

- We shared our core values – see here

- We shared our initiatives for 2007 and beyond:

1) Diversify to evangelize (We realize that evangelism looks different for different
age groups and we are going to become more intentional about effectively sharing
Jesus through age appropriate/relevant methods for the purpose of bringing more
people to Jesus)

2) Structure to engage (We are becoming intentional about making it easy for
people to use their gifts to serve Christ through the church. We believe that one of
the best ways for people to be built up in their faith is through service!)

3) Learn to equip (We believe that as we continue to grow our Kingdom
responsibility increases in like measure. We have learned and are learning a lot of
lessons that we believe are valuable to churches that are making the same journey
we have and are making. We are being intentional about the lessons we are learning
so that we can teach them to other churches for maximum Kingdom impact!)

To all of you who go to Northgate – I love you and am looking forward to a big year in 2007!

Johnny Cash

Posted on
5

I spent a lot of my Christmas break reading! I read The Man Called Cash: The Life, Love, and Faith of an American Legend by Steve Turner.

A few highlights from the book:

- Johnny Cash was an ordained minister!

- Johnny Cash was a man who was hugely shaped by his past. OK, OK, I know that may
not be that big of an insight for some of you, but I’ve recently been wrestling with the
level influence that the family of origin has on the individual. Peter Scazzero in his book,
The Emotionally Healthy Church, writes, “Numerous external forces may shape
us, but the family we have grown up in is the primary and, except in rare
instances, the most powerful system that will shape and influence who we
are.” As I read through Cash’s life this insight was confirmed. What was also confirmed
though was the transforming power of a relationship with Jesus Christ!

3) Old may be the best new! I was amazed at Johnny’s continuing “relevance”! I
continue to be amazed at the cycle that the trends go through. Today, one of my
favorite CDs (besides Relevant Worship) is The Legend of Johnny Cash.

Insights from Tom Peters

Posted on
5

I just finished Design (Tom Peters Essentials) by guess who… Tom Peters! ;-)

A few key lessons about systems that I picked up from this great little read include:

1) “Addition is the exercise of fools. Subtraction is the exercise of genius.” It’s
easy and common to add “stuff” (e.g. programs, etc.). It’s the subtraction that gets ugly
and difficult but is the most critical step in streamlining a system. Peter’s writes,
“Obese systems are Enemy No. 1 of change and agility… and Ally No. 1 of the upstart
commercial competitor.”

2) Two quotes of interest:
Peter Drucker – “Much of what we call management consists of making it
difficult for people to get their work done.”
John De Laney – “Anything truly important can be summarized and
clarified in one-third of a page.”

3) Peters gives a “Systems Summary”: Systems matter. Systems always grow (in the
main unintentionally) like topsy. Systems, however well intentioned, will eventually
impede innovation and thwart progress. Systems are too important to be left to
‘systems administrators.’ Systems must be the concern of CEOs. Systems can…
FOSTER CHANGE. FOSTER INNOVATION. BE SIMPLE BE CLEAR. BE GRACEFUL.
BE BEAUTIFUL.

My walkaways…

- Churches have systems too.

- Typically within the church, systems are the result of a series of additions. Without the
necessary subtractions, the systems become complicated and bulky. It is difficult to
subtract because of emotional attachments, traditions, etc.

- Churches would benefit from a systems review and overhaul (in many cases).

- How many churches have aligned their systems with their mission and values?

- How can we create a system that simplifies life and ministry for our volunteers and
staff?

What do you think?

After church thoughts

Posted on
3

This past weekend was awesome!

1) We had a total of five weekend services (three regularly scheduled and two Christmas
eve services). I preached in all of them! Can you say “TIRED”? :-)

2) I wrapped up our sermon series entitled, “What Do You Want?” In this series we
taught that Jesus offers hope, peace, joy, and love. It was an exciting series, and a
refreshing one for me! It’s really cool to just focus on Jesus! Here’s a link to the sermon
on Sunday (the one on love). (Keep in mind that links to the sermon are the notes that
I have in front of me when I preach. At this point I have not begun editing the sermons
for online reading. Some of the things in the sermon I say and some things that I say
aren’t on the manuscript).

3) Anthony led the worship in the Saturday night service! He is going to be a great
addition to our team! I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about him from you!

4) Jeff planned the coolest Christmas eve service I’ve ever seen! At our 11 p.m. service
we took communion at the manger! Great call Jeff!

5) This weekend we had 669 people for our regularly scheduled services, and 821 people
at our Christmas eve services!

6) At our 7 p.m. service I gave a straightforward gospel message (here’s the sermon).

7) At the 11 p.m. service I did something I’ve never done before… I called the people to
nine points of meditation. It was a cool experience for me and several others
commented that they too enjoyed the meditative mood. Here are the meditations.

8)What a great weekend! I think I enjoyed this Christmas more than I have any other in
a long time!

Thank you Jesus

Posted on
2

This weekend is HUGE! We are having five services (three “regular” and two Christmas eve services).

As I am sitting here at my computer wrapping up the talk for the evening I am thinking about the gift of God in a new way…

I’m blown away that Jesus would die for me. I have hurt Him, disappointed Him, and I’m pretty certain that I’ve caused Him frustration a time or two, and yet knowing all of this in advance… He died for me. He took the punishment that I definitely deserve.

Jesus, I love you for this. I thank you for living a perfect life. I thank you for standing up and taking punishment that you did not deserve. I thank you for caring enough for me that you did not stop half way through the process… you persevered. Thank you.

Thank you.

Leadership thought

Posted on
2

You know, I’ve had a thought rolling around in my head for the last month or so. Someday maybe I’ll be able to say it better than this, but for now here’s what I’ve got…

The higher up the leadership ladder you go the more “Big things” you will be expected to deal with at a single time.

I liken this to a meal. A typical meal at my house looks something like this: potatoes, brocoli, and a piece of chicken.

In the world of leadership there are always the “little things” (potatoes, brocoli) to deal with or be aware of, and typically at least one “big thing” (chicken).

The higher up the leadership ladder you go the more big things (and maybe even the more little things) will be on your plate – brocoli, potatoes, macaroni and cheese, chicken, ham, and a filet mignon! Now while this may sound like a great meal it can be a disaster for a leader!

I remember when I was the pastor at a church of 130+. There was typically a lot of brocoli and potato issues and fairly regularly there was a piece of chicken issue.

Now, however, that I am the Lead pastor at a 700+ church I am realizing that there are typically multiple “pieces of meat” (i.e. “Big issues”) on my leadership plate.

This requires continuing attention not just to one “Big issue” but continuing attention to multiple “Big issues.” Some of the big issues on my plate now include: 1) the addition of new staff and the consequential role transitions; 2) the launch of a new service @ our south campus (how do we successfully lead a multi-site church); 3) The continuing evolution of our administrative structure; 4) Continually asking and seeking to answer the question, “What’s next for Northgate?” (e.g. What hire?; What project?; What goal; etc.); 5) Continually asking and seeking to answer other various questions (e.g. Who will be affected by this decision; How will he/she/they respond?; Is this God or is it the latest book I read?; Is our mission of bringing people to Jesus and building them up in that relationship being accomplished?; etc.)

This is in addition to the “Little stuff”, for instance: 1) staff evaluations; 2) sermon prep; 3) meetings with people who are upset with me; 4) meetings with people who love me; 4) preparation for meetings (Management Team; Administrative Team; etc.)

So how does a leader deal with multiple “Big things” at the same time? Here’s what I’m finding (and if you know more… for crying out loud talk to me!)

1) You’ve got to know what the “Big things” are! How? Pray; listen; read about
     others who have made the same journey you are making and identify the “Big things”
     they had to face on their journey; get away from the “chaos of the regular” to think
     strategically about your situation(s)

2) You’ve got to know who your key leaders are and what they’re thinking
     about the “Big things” (Chances are your key leaders are aware of one or several of
     the “Big things”; your job as a leader is to help connect the dots between all of the
     “Big things.”

3) You’ve got to be willing to let someone else manage the “Big things.” (I do
     believe that there is a difference between leadership and management.)

4) You’ve got to strategically let some “Little things” fall off your plate (just be
     careful that in doing so, the little things don’t become big things!)

OK, now what do you think?

An interview with Anthony

Posted on
Reply

I sat down today with Anthony Hoisington, our newly hired worship leader and leader of Thursday’s ministry.

As he munched on his cookie and gazed off into the wild blue yonder, here’s what I learned:

Paul: Tell us something about yourself that will surprise us.

Anthony: I love the Andy Griffith show.

Paul: (laughing) Seriously?

Anthony: (not laughing) Seriously.

Paul: (not laughing anymore) Tell us what you do around Northgate.

Anthony: Right now I’m mostly just learning the culture, observing. This Saturday I will lead my first Saturday worship here. In January we will launch our Thursday’s worship service at the south campus and sometime in January I will also begin leading one of our Sunday a.m. worship services here @ the north campus.

Paul: Who’s your favorite author?

Anthony: It changes, but right right now it’s George Barna.

Paul: What’s your favorite book right now?

Anthony: Revolution by George Barna.

Paul: What website do you check out the most?

Anthony: www.barna.org

Paul: What are you most excited about in the coming year around Northgate?

Anthony: I’m most excited about the opportunity that Northgate has to minister to multiple generations and the fact that I get to be a part of that!

Paul: Anything else you want to say?

Anthony: Paul is a great ice skater. (see here for the truth)

Paul: Thank you.

Blog in your e-mail

Posted on
2

Hey, just in case you didn’t notice… I now have a link on the right hand side of this page that you can sign up to get this blog in your e-mail.

I have four people signed up on it now (two of those are my bride and me… but hey, we need to know what I’m saying too!).

Just click the blue letters that say, “Subscribe to Paul Peterson by E-mail” and it will take to a link where it will prompt you with two very simple instructions!

It’s easy! It’s great! IT’S HUUUUUGGGGGEEE (Thanks Billy Fucillo)!

After church thoughts

Posted on
1

Holy Moly! What a crazy weekend! We had to travel to Olean for my graduation, and we had company for the weekend!

We didn’t come to the Saturday night service because I was GRADUATING!!! And we didn’t come to the 9:30 service (because we were TIRED), but we did come to the 11:00 service!

Here’s some thoughts about what I observed…

1) Pastor Vern talked about Joy. Some of you may not know this, but he talked about joy
while he was walking through the valley of the shadow of death! All week long he lived
with the reality that his father might not live. We were constantly communicating
about whether or not he was going to preach! Praise God, his dad is doing better now,
but while Vern was preparing to talk about joy he was doing it in “the dark.” It’s
crazy how God prepares us to talk for him!

2) Our children’s ministry (Kids JAM) had a huge party this weekend! I want to give a
HUGE “SHOUT OUT” to everyone who worked like crazy to make it happen! When I
left the church (@ almost 2 p.m.) Denise Adamski, Kathy Saile, and Jess Saile were still
there working (and they didn’t leave until after the party!). It’s really cool to serve
Jesus with such awesome people! I love you Kids JAM crew!

3) We had 767 in attendance this weekend… last year on this weekend we had 690!

4) We’ll be wrapping up this series this coming weekend when we talk about the gift of
love that Jesus has for us! I can’t wait to preach!

Tomorrow I’m going to interview Anthony Hoisington (our Thursday’s Worship Leader) for the blog.