JoshLazar

Canadia Blogumentary #1...

yes... I said Canadia!
Today has been a long day!
Flying. Layovers. Customs. Being chosen to undergo the scrutiny and intimidation of being "chosen" for extensive luggage and declarations claims checks.

So I am in Canada this entire week to prepare for a church planting project this summer called PowerPlant.
Chad is the ministry coordinator up here and doing a great job of preparing a core group of people to launch their church not long after P2 this summer.

I got off the plane this afternoon and went straight with Chad to the community. We grabbed dinner at the local fair - Curly Portable's. I had some great local Seafood Chowder - good stuff!

After dinner we went to their home group. The decided not to meet yesterday (Sunday) and so they all just met tonight! There is an excitement in the group about shaping their community.

Already I can tell such a difference in our cultures. I feel like im over seas except I can understand their language... most of the time!

This week is going to be great! I can already tell this match was one that God Himself has ordained. God leading me to Lifepoint not that long ago has prepared me immensely for speaking into the lives of this core up here. They are so eager to learn. And the thing is... I can't believe God is allowing me to help them.

Who am I that God would allow me to have this kind of ministry to other church-planters?

cliffs notes message bumper...

creative chaos...

and so we continue this week's post in creative chaos...

coming back from Drive last week, I was really inspired creatively. It is always encouraging to see people who are at a few levels ahead of where you are. In leadership, even in creative leadership, if you are not constantly learning from others, stretching yourselves, and trying to be the best you can be, you become stagnant. And we all know there is nothing worse than stagnant creativity.

I can't share this week... but you just wait to see what we are planning in the weeks to come at both of Lifepoint's campuses! YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS IT!

QUESTION: What are you doing to stretch yourself?

a new message series by lifepoint downtown

beginning this sunday...

why i love my pastor...

so he walks into the office after a meeting...

"he guys, its time to have some fun... whooo hoooo" (with some extra chees'in)

he comes into my office and grabs the truck...

then we all go outside and have some fun - man style!
I needed that... what a great way to have some staff bonding!

i need some power...

so i have a 12" powerbook G4. i've had it for several years. got into macs before the current trend of band-wagoning.

i might not have my power cable after today... where it connects to the mac the cable is now showing copper inside.

i guess i have to spend the cash for a new cable... or should i buy a new mac?

things i'm learning...

So... back from Drive in the first full week back. You may have heard this, but going to conferences like these are like trying to sip water from a fire hydrant. So I plan to take the next few weeks digesting all of my notes... first quote:

"teams use trust as currency. If it is in short supply, then the team is poor. If trust abounds, the members of the team have purchase power with each other to access each other's gifts, talents, energy, creativity, and love. The development of trust them becomes a significant leadership strategy. Trust creates the load limits on the relationship bridges among team members." - Reggie McNeal

I love the team that God has placed under my leadership. I am doing my best to earn their trust. I led some poor teams in the past - accepting responsibility myself. Trust. Trust is powerful. Trust allows your team to say things they wouldn't normally be able to say to each other. The bigger the amount of trust, the bigger the load limits on the team.

Happy Mother's Day...

I love my mom!
* shes fun
* loves a lot
* i get my good looks from her (sorry dad...)
* always has been extremely supportive
* would give her last penny to give stuff to her children to make them happy
    (mostly my little sister hannah!)
* her #1 quote:
    "I gave you life... and I can take it away from you!"

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR MOM?     YOU HAVE TO COMMENT!

video production - "Why I Love My Mom"

I did this one for our service today! In the words of the kids of Lifepoint. Enjoy...

creative chaos...

this week's creative chaos:

This past Sunday we did something maybe only a handful of churches have ever done...
We had a spontaneous baptism. We had everything ready: shirts, shorts, underwear, hair product, flip flops, towels, and everything else...

Pastor Daniel preached through the excuses people have for not getting baptized and shot them all down with scripture! 61 People responded and were baptized! That's right you heard me... SIXTY ONE!

So this was also our first week running IMAG. We mixed two camera's and water video elements into the baptisms. Overall it was an amazing day! We wish you all could have been there...