Monday Proflections – October 13, 2008

Here’s what’s happening with Church Leader Insights and me that may be of interest to you:
Monday – It’s Columbus Day here in the states and I’m wrapping up a long weekend with Kelley and Alexander.

Tuesday- Watch for your Church Leader Insights monthly newsletter today with seven helpful articles and two book reviews.  Make sure you have info@churchleaderinsights.com in your address book so it doesn’t go to spam.  If you aren’t getting our newsletter, click here to sign up.  It’s free.

Wednesday – Jason will be teaching his new One Day Worship Leader Intensive today in Tampa, FL.  It’s not too late to sign up by clicking here.

Thursday- Tele-Coaching Call #3 is today at 1:00pm.  I’ll also be putting the final touches on this Sunday’s message.

Friday- I’ll be finalizing the application for my next Live Coaching Networks that will begin in Jan/Feb 2009 in both NYC and Tampa.  Are you interested?  If so, send an email to cristina@churchleaderinsights.com for priority information.

Saturday- Kerrick and I will be putting the final touches on the notes for our new Activate Seminar (a totally revised Small Groups seminar).  The next Live Activate Seminar is Thursday, October 22 in NYC.  A few spots are still available.  Click here for more info.

Thanks for reading my blog!  If you have any church leadership questions for me, just use the Ask Nelson button on the right.  So far, I’ve been able to answer almost all of your questions by email or here in the blog.

Nelson

Monday Proflections – October 6, 2008

A busy but fun week coming up – here’s what’s happening that may be of interest to you:

Monday – I don’t normally sleep in on Monday’s but today is the exception.  Kelley and Alexander are away visiting the grandparents and my first meeting isn’t until 10:30am.  I’ll be the guy with bed head around the office!

Tuesday – Watch your CLI email for a brand new resource I did with Bob Franquiz.  It’s called Church Planting Pitfalls (you can get a sneak peak by clicking here – its available now).  Bob Franquiz is an Advanced Coaching alumni and has become a good friend, a great CLI trainer and a phenomenal resource developer/writer.  This resource was his idea and he let me tag along for the journey.  We basically asked the question – what are the pitfalls that keep a new church from growing after they launch.  If you are in a church less than 5 years old this resource is for you.

Wednesday – I’m not a big fan of retreats (not sure why – I know they are all the rage.  Maybe I’ll talk about this in a future blog) but today I’m dong a one-day retreat with our teaching team.  Our topic: 2009 Preaching Calendar. It’s one of my favorite topics.  In a future blog post or maybe an MP3 download I’ll share with you any insights we learn about planning for 2009.

Thursday – Our teaching team is attending the Catalyst Conference today in Atlanta.  I haven’t been in a couple of years so I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of friends and being challenged by the speakers.  QUESTION: Are you attending Catalyst?  If so, I’d love for you to join me for a special Dessert Reception Tonight in Atlanta – read more about it here – or email cristina <at> churchleaderinsights.com for all the details or to RSVP.  We are expecting about 100 friends from the CLI family.

Friday – I’ll be attending Catalyst today and then flying to Florida tonight for a long weekend with Kelley and Alexander.  I’m sure ‘Disney’ will factor in here somewhere.

Thanks for reading my blog!  If you have any questions for me, just use the Ask Nelson button on the right.  So far I’ve been able to answer almost all of your questions by email or here in the blog.

Tomorrow I start a new series of posts on a “Pastors Financial Life.”  See you then!

Nelson

P.S. If you are going to Catalyst this week, I really hope you’ll let me buy you dessert on Thursday night.  You can read all the details here.

#37

Today I’m 37 years old!

When I show up to speak at conferences, people who have never met me except via audio or books always think I’m much older than I am.  I’m never sure if that’s a good thing or not!

Hopefully when I’m 87 people will think I’m younger than I am!

On Wednesday, Kelley and I celebrated my birthday (even though my grandmother used to say it was bad luck to celebrate a birthday early).  She planned a ‘birthday in NYC’ for me, which include a visit to the Top of the Rock, lunch at Hill Country and then a taping of the David Letterman Show.  It was a great day!

Tonight Alexander and I will celebrate together by sharing a cupcake!

If the next 37 years are anything like the last, I’ve got a lot to be thankful for!

With gratitude to God,

Nelson

Catalyst Dessert Anyone?

Are you going to Catalyst next week in Atlanta? I’ll be there with Kerrick, the Journey Teaching Team and the CLI staff.

On Thursday, October 9, I’d like to invite you to a special Church Leader Insights Dessert at 7:00pm at 12 Stone Church!  The church is just a few turns and couple of miles from Catalyst.

Can you join me?

If so, I need an RSVP so I can make sure there’s plenty of NY Style Cheesecake and coffee/beverages for everyone.  To learn more or RSVP your spot, send an email to cristina <at> churchleaderinsights.com and we’ll get you all the details.

I would love to meet you and introduce you to the Church Leader Insights gang and to others pastors in the CLI family. It should be a lot of fun.  (Plus there’ll be some special giveaways of some of our latest resources).

I hope it works out!

Nelson

Top Posts for September 2008

Blog readership for September increased by over 25% – mainly thanks to your links and some positive press in the Rick Warren Ministry ToolBox.  Here’s the most popular posts for the month (in case you missed them):

The “One Month” Perspective

Successful Church Planters Must Be Able to Recruit a Worship Leader

Where There’s Slack There’s Lack – Part 8 of 8 (Strategy System)

Lessons from “Yes” – Part 3

What Determines A Church Planter’s Success?

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to subscribe to the blog feed so you don’t miss a thing!  Use the Subscribe Via RSS link or the Subscribe Via Email link on the right – just below the monthly archives listing.  Or subscribe using Google Reader – my favorite – or similar tool.

Could I ask a favor?  If you like this blog, would you take a moment and tell you pastor friends about it?  You can tell them about the blog and about the FREE Healthy Church, Healthy Systems report.  They will thank you later- but I will say THANK YOU now! Thank you for sharing this blog and for making it a success!

See you in October…..

Nelson

Monday Proflections – September 29, 2008

Here’s what’s happening with Church Leader Insights and me this week that may be of interest to you:

Monday – I’ll be in the Journey office all morning and then I’m flying to Atlanta.  I’ll be doing a recording the Catalyst folks tonight.  Are you going to Catalyst next week? If so, I’d like to buy you dessert on Thursday night. Email cristina (at) journeymetro.com for all the details.

Tuesday – I’m co-teaching the One Day Launch Conference with Bob Franquiz today in Atlanta.  It’s not too late to sign-up by clicking here. A huge thanks to Ritchie Miller and Avalon Church for hosting this conference!  I also have a Q&A call-in time today with my Tele-Coaching Network (its at 1:00pm EDT for those of you in the network).

Wednesday – I’m off today as my weekly Sabbath and will be hanging with Kelley all day.  She scheduled a baby sitter and has put together a ‘day of surprises in NYC’ as my birthday present (my official birthday is  Friday).  I’m hoping cupcakes are part of the surprise somehow!

Thursday –  A packed day today but one thing I must get done is the manuscript for Sunday’s Financial Peace kick-off.  We are teaching live in all the locations this Sunday and the location pastors are all waiting on my manuscript so they can shred it and make it better!  The sermon run thru is scheduled for 4pm today – I hope I survive!

Friday – Today I turn 37! Send cash gifts to….OK, just kidding but your prayers are appreciated! I’ll be in the office all day but maybe there’ll be red velvet cupcakes waiting on me when I get home.

Hope you have a great week!  Maybe I’ll see you in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Nelson

P.S. Watch your CLI email for info on four ‘just announced’ live events this week – one in Tampa, two in NYC and one in Cincinnati.  For a sneak peek, check out this link.

Monday Proflections – September 22, 2008

Here’s what’s happening with Church Leader Insights and me this week that may be of interest to you:

Monday – I’m back in the office after being in Southern California for a few days last week. One of the things I’ll be doing today is the follow-up from yesterday’s baptism. Click here to learn how we follow-up on baptisms. I’ll also be prepping for a video shoot for Sunday’s message. (I plan to teach part of Sunday’s message from a graveyard – sounds eerie, right?)

Tuesday – Response to our new CLI sermon series offering entitled “Tongue Pierced” has been incredible.  Watch your email from CLI today for more on this series. (It’s back in stock). Be sure that info@churchleaderinsights.com is in your address book so you don’t miss anything from us.

Wednesday – My weekly Sabbath.

Thursday – Have you listened to this month’s podcast yet?  I call it The Top 10% Principle. It’s a leadership podcast about how you must keep the Top 10% of your church informed if you want your next strategy, program or vision to succeed. Click here to listen online or download.

Friday – I hate to say it, but this is my monthly day to catch up on paper work. I’ll be reviewing accounting issues, legal documents, attendance reports, trend analysises (or whatever the plural is of analysis), etc. I’m reminded of the leadership axiom from the great new book by Bill Hybels, “facts are our friends.” Although I never look forward to diving into these reports, I love what I learn from them.

Saturday – I’ll be spending the morning in the office and then the entire family is heading to the Cold Spring Harvest Festival in Upstate NY (that’s how us snooty Manhattanites refer to the rest of NY State – even if it’s just a few miles north of the city).  Maybe there’ll be farm animals there to delight Alexander. At two years old, he loves farm animals!

Hope you have a great week!

Nelson

Friday Catch-All (Coaching Networks, Stewardship Seminars and Friends)

Here are some quick hits on things I wanted to cover this week in the blog but didn’t get to:

Bob Franquiz is working with me to start a new Church Planters Coaching Network. Click here to learn more and be added to the wait list.

Terry Mahan, Founding Pastor of The Fathers House Church in Lakeland, FL is teaching my Stewardship Seminar at his place on October 1. Terry is one of my Advanced Coaching Alumni and gets stewardship principles better than anyone I know.  Learn more by clicking here.

I wish I had written this post on Hard Work by Steven Furtick. I don’t know Steven, but my first church was in Charlotte and it sounds like he’s doing a great job.

Kerrick and I are seriously considering a Small Groups Tele-Coaching Network for Lead Pastors and Small Groups pastors. If you are interested, please email Cristina@churchleaderinsights.com. If there’s enough interest, we’ll roll it out.

A HUGE thanks to the CLI family for making Activate #1 on Amazon.com last week. Activate is the new small groups book I wrote with Kerrick.  Who woulda thought it!

For some reason or another, Feedburner changed the feed for my blog. If this blog is no longer in your reader, please add it again (everything has been corrected).  About 700 of the previous 1000 readers have re-added us.  Thank you!

Over 3400 people read this blog each day according to Google Analytics. Wow!  I’m honored to be a part of your week.

Have a great weekend!

Nelson

Monday Proflections – September 15, 2008

Here’s what’s happening with Church Leader Insights and me this week that may be of interest to you:

Monday – I’ll be in the Journey office all day working with our follow-up and strategic teams.  I’ll also be putting the final touches on the promotion for our October/November series entitled “Financial Peace” based on the Dave Ramsey series.

Tuesday – Watch your CLI email for our latest sermon series offering entitled “Tongue Pierced.” We did this series, which is based on James 2, at The Journey back in May and it has been the most talked about series of the year.  At least once a week I still get an email on the ‘cursing’ message and how it has helped someone ‘watch their words.’ You may want to change the title, depending on your church, but this series on the power of words is very… well, powerful!

Wednesday – Flying to Los Angeles today with Jason Hatley, our worship pastor and founder of Worship Leader Insights (click here and forward this link to your worship pastor).  I’m in LA for a Fusion Seminar tomorrow and a private event on Friday and Saturday.

Thursday –  I will be leading The Fusion Seminar from 9am – Noon at  The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa, CA (in Orange County, just south of LA)   If you are in the area, plan to join me – click here to register.  If you aren’t in the area, please pray for this event.  We have about 100 people coming.

Friday – Jason and I are attending The Story Seminar today and tomorrow in LA.  I think there’s a lot we can learn about preaching and worship planning from this seminar.  But I could be wrong…. I’ll let you know if it’s worth the time and investment.

Hope you have a great week!  Maybe I’ll see you in Costa Mesa on Thursday.

Nelson

My Son Is The One On The Right

Monday Proflections – September 8, 2008

The fall ministry season has officially started and I’m more excited than ever about the next few months!  September to December is one of my favorite times of the year.  Here’s what’s happening with me and Church Leader Insights that may be of interest to you this week:

Monday – Our team @ The Journey will be focused on follow-up from yesterday’s Big Day with Kerry Shook. Check back here tomorrow for more on the day.

Tuesday – Watch your email for The Church Leader Insights Newsletter today (be sure info (at) churchleaderinsights.com is in your address book so it doesn’t go to spam).  Seven great articles in this newsletter and my latest book recommendations.  If you aren’t a subscriber to this free newsletter, use the box at the right to sign-up.

Wednesday – I’ll be in Tampa today (which will be hurricane-free I hope!) for my Tampa Coaching Network.  My next “in person” Coaching Networks will begin in January or February of 2009 – once again host in NYC and Tampa.  I hope to have the applications ready by the end of the month.  In the meantime, to be added to the priority wait list (you’ll be the first to get an application), just email cristina (at) churchleaderinsights.com

Thursday – A very busy day for me as I finalize the message for Sunday (yes, I do try to keep The Thursday Midnight Rule) and prep for Sunday’s Growth Group Leader Training.  But from 1:00pm – 3:00pm EDT today I’ll be on the second call of my Tele-Coaching Network for Senior Pastors (the first meeting was incredible and I can’t wait for the second.  A great group of guys on this call!).

Friday – I’m taking the morning of this day as a study day.  I need to finalize some One Month to Live sermons and develop an outline for our Oct/Nov Financial Peace series.  This evening, I’ll be alone in the house with Alexander (he’s now 25 months old) as Kelley has a night of scrapbooking planned.  I don’t know what Kelley will be doing (seriously, I really don’t know what scrapbooking entails) but I know Alex and I will be doing a lot of jumping on the beds and watching Diego (Go, Diego, Go!).

Saturday – A rare Saturday Sabbath (Wednesday is my normal Sabbath) which probably means more jumping on the bed with Alex and even more Diego!

I love my job!  Make it a great week at your church….

Nelson

P.S. I’ve received a lot of great questions recently via the Ask Nelson box at the right (just below my pic) and have been able to respond to most of them either directly or on the blog.  I love to get your questions!  Next week I may devote the entire blog to your questions so if you have something for me, send it over!

Monday Proflections – September 1, 2008

Happy Labor Day to everyone here in the states.  Here’s what’s happening with CLI and me that may be of interest to you:

Monday – Journey and CLI offices are closed.  We worked and prepared follow-up for The Journey on Sunday so we could enjoy today.  Hope you are taking some time to rest and enjoy family too.

Tuesday – I’m taking a couple more days off this week before the rush of the fall.  Today and tomorrow Kelley, Alexander and I will be in upstate NY.

Wednesday – we are visiting Niagara Falls today and then returning to the city tonight.

Thursday – my new Advanced Coaching Network begins today.  Advanced Coaching is made of guys who have been through two regular coaching networks and then receive a special invite to participate.  It’s the most intensive network I lead.  It’s part of my 10-year goal to help 1,000 churches break 1,000 in attendance.

Friday – we are gearing up for a big day on Sunday as we kick of the “One Month to Live” series.  Kerry Shook is going to be here teaching live @ The Journey on Sunday.

Watch for the final part of the ’slack=lack’ series this Wednesday right here on the blog.  In addition, I’ll be sharing my thoughts from a great new book I just finished…but more on that tomorrow.

Have a great week!

Nelson

P.S. Today is the last day to pick-up $9 downloads in our store (Labor Day Sale)…just click on the store link above and check out the different categories for over 20 resources at a bargain price.  Happy Labor day!

Monday Proflections, August 25, 2008

Personally I’m taking a few days off this week but I’ve got some great blog posts scheduled so keep checking back here daily.

I would call my time off this week ‘vacation’ but its really not. Kelley and I are renovating our apartment. OK, ‘renovating’ is a strong word as we aren’t knocking out any walls but we are doing a major overhaul and moving our 2 year old out of the foyer into his own bedroom.

Here’s what else is happening with Church Leader Insights and me this week that may be of interest to you.

Monday – Vacation. Maybe I’ll see you at Pottery Barn Kids!

Tuesday – The absolute last day for you to apply for my Tele-Coaching Network for Senior Pastors.

Wednesday – I’m off most of the day but I’ll also be putting the final touches on the first lesson of tomorrows Tele-Coaching Network.  I’m also hoping to announce a September date for a Fusion Seminar in the Los Angeles area.

Thursday – The first session of my new Tele-Coaching Network for Senior Pastors. The response to this has been overwhelming! Other than the blog, I’ve promoted this network in two emails and we have had hundreds of applications. I’m very excited about the group that will be on today’s call. This may end up being the most significant coaching network I’ve ever done.

Friday – I’ll be back at the office today working on messages for September.  I also need a title for a Christmas series, any suggestions?

Saturday – I’ll be doing some final prep work for our outreach tomorrow at New York University.

Make it a great week!

Nelson

P.S. If you have a church growth question you’d like to see me address in a future blog post, just use the Ask Nelson button on the right of this page.

Church Growth Hero: Bob Whitesel

I recently had the opportunity to teach a special week long graduate class for Dr. Bob Whitesel.   If you aren’t familiar with Bob, here’s what I consider his three best books to date:

Dr. Bob is one of the best church growth thinkers of our generation.

I had a blast spending four days with some really sharp students but I had even more fun picking Bob’s brain.

Nelson

P.S. We actually recorded all four days of my lectures.  I spent a day on Assimialtion, a day on Growth Barriers, a day on Small Groups and a day on Church Systems – all at graduate level discussion.   Church Leader Insights is currently not planning on packaging these lectures as a resource but if you would like to have them for your library, I can make them available for cost-recovery…email me at ns1 (at) journeymetro.com for more info.

Monday Proflections August 11, 2008

Here’s what’s happening with Church Leader Insights and me this week that may be of interest to you:

Monday – I’m in Phoenix this week.  Good news, the high temps are only going to be 105.  I was here the same week last year and the high temps were 110+!

Tuesday – Watch your email for the August issue of The Church Leader Insights Newsletter.  7 great articles and 2 book recommendations.  If you aren’t currently receiving the newsletter, use the form on the right side of this page to subscribe today.

Wednesday – I’ll be sending out an email update about my new Tele-Coaching Network giving everyone one last chance to apply. I’ve been overwhelmed by the response!  This network is shaping up to be the most important network I’ve ever led. If you are interested in applying, please don’t wait another day, click here for an application.

Thursday – Bob Franquiz and I will be leading The Fusion Seminar from 9am – Noon at Camelback Community Church here in Phoenix.  If you are in the area, plan to join us – click here to register.  If you aren’t in the area, please pray for this event.  We have about 100 people coming.

Friday – I’ll be putting the final touches on my latest CD resource entitled “Managing the Stress of Ministry.” More details soon.

Hope you have a great week!  Maybe I’ll see you in Phoenix on Thursday.

Nelson

Monday Proflections – August 4, 2008

This is a big week for me personally (my 14th Anniversary on Wednesday), professionally (see Thursday and Friday) and for Church Leader Insights….here’s what’s happening:

Monday – Usual staff meetings plus an interview with a potential staff pastor.

Tuesday – Last day to register for my Phoenix Fusion Seminar at the lowest rate…if you are anywhere within driving distance, I hope you can make it!  Click here for all the details about the August 14 event.

Wednesday – I’m off today as my normal weekly Sabbath but today is special…its my 14th Wedding Anniversary! I know, I know, Kelley is a saint!  More about this on Wednesday.

Thursday/Friday – Professionally, these two days are one of the highlights of my year.   Our entire staff plus key volunteers will be attending the Manhattan site of The Willow Creek Leadership Summit.  I highly recommend you attend too.

Saturday – I’m off to Phoenix – see Tuesday above.  I’m both teaching the Fusion Seminar and attending a private training event in the Valley of the Sun.  Don’t worry…I’ve already packed my sunscreen!

Starting tomorrow, watch for a series of posts that answer your key questions on Small Groups.

Have a great week!

Nelson

P.S. For more on small groups, see my latest book Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups.

As long as they are attending my seminars….

I got a laugh out of this! From our friends at Out of Ur:

Monday Proflections – July 28, 2008

Here’s what’s happening with me and CLI that may be of interest to you this week:

Monday – In addition to the usual follow-up from Sunday, I’ll be following-up with the 57 people who were baptized on Saturday at our Beach Baptism (see tomorrow’s post for our follow-up process).  That’s a record for one of our beach events – God is good!

Tuesday – Today I’m teaching an all day seminar for Church Planters who are at the 3 year mark.  This is a private event at our office but if you want to come, shoot me an email.  I love this topic because the 3 year challenges are unique…you’ve survived but will you thrive?  Click here for some resources that may help you if this is where you find yourself.

Wednesday – I’m making the second round of decisions on my new Tele-Coaching Network for Senior Pastors.  It’s not too late to apply, just click here.

Thursday – We have an all-staff meeting today.  We meet every other Thursday for a one hour book study. Currently we are studying Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard.  Our next book is The Complete Book of Discipleship by Bill Hull (see the July Church Leader Insights Newsletter for my review of this book.  You don’t get my newsletter?  It’s free, click here).

Friday – I’m taking a rare Friday off.  Not sure what we are doing yet! Is the X-Files movie worth seeing?

Saturday – I’m leading a Growth Group Servant Evangelism Project on the Upper West Side today.  Our groups have been out every night this week doing Servant Evangelism and today I lead the final ‘group’ of groups.  We do a week of Servant Evangelism every semester.  Our goal is 25,000 touches this week!

The end of July is a great time to be in the city.  I’m looking forward to a great week.  Aren’t you glad we get to do what we do?  I love being a pastor!

Nelson

100th Blog Post

This is my 100th Blog Post.

When I started blogging on April 13, 2008, I was already late to the game….so I had a lot of catching up to do!  Today over 1000 people read this blog each day (with gusts up to 5000) and I’m having a blast sharing content and observations with you.  The bottom line: I’m committed to doing this for a long time (or at least until some other technology supersedes blogging).

I started the blog for three reasons:

1- To provide on-going coaching to my 300+ Coaching Alumni

2- To share ideas and insights to supplement my books and resources

3- To give away free stuff.

I think I’ve achieved all three goals goal (you are ultimately the judge and jury). Your comments, links and notes of appreciation lead me to believe that I’m on track.

To celebrate this 100th Post, here are links to the Top 5 most ‘linked-to’ posts I’ve done (I measure success by links, not comments):

Little Things Don’t Mean A Lot – They Mean Everything

How to Conduct a Newcomers Reception

The Truth About Church Systems (Free Report)

How to Read More

Living Off Peak (Time Management)

I hope you continue to enjoy the blog!  If you have any questions you’d like me to address, just use the Ask Nelson button on the right.

Nelson

Monday Proflections – July 21, 2008

Here’s what’s happening with me and CLI this week that may be of interest to you.  Busy week….

Monday – The CLI store has been down for maintenance all weekend and will be down for most of today.  Updating software is always a pain but we had to upgrade in order to continue to serve you. You data is safe but even when it ‘goes live’ we may still have some formatting and graphic bugs to work out.  It should be online later this afternoon.

Tuesday – If you are near Miami (or can get there by Thursday) be sure to join Bob Franquiz for The Evangelism Seminar.  He’s one of a handful of pastors that I’ve personally trained to teach my material.  To learn more, click here. If the website isn’t working (see Monday above) please call 212.730.8300 x212 to register.

Wednesday – Last chance to register for my Stewardship Seminar either Live in NYC or video cast by web around the world.  Call 212.730.8300 x212 to learn more or to register.

Thursday – I’ll be teaching The Stewardship Seminar in NYC (which is also being video cast to anywhere in the world) and Bob Franquiz will be teaching The Evangelism Seminar in Miami.  See Tuesday and Wednesday above for links to register.  Please pray for us and for those who attend!

Friday – I’m leading my NYC Coaching Network during the day and ‘investing’ the evening in a potential staff member and his spouse.  I’m investing a ton of time this summer looking for A-players to join our staff.  Are you interested?  Contact me!

Saturday – Today is the highlight of my church year – Beach Baptism at Jones Beach.  Over 50 people signed up as of today but I’m praying for 100.  If you are anywhere near Jones Beach, feel free to join us for 2:30pm baptism.  I may need your help in the water!

In addition, watch for lots of great posts this week and for an update on my tele-coaching network for Senior Pastors (it’s not too late to apply).

Make it a great week!

Nelson

P.S. If our web store is still under renovation and you need to register for an event or purchase a resource, please call Cristina at 212.730.8300 x212.  We are upgrading to better serve you!