The Rulebook for Leading Church Creative Departments

Sometimes it's just easier to do a Sometimes it's just easier to do a project yourself. But if you're the only project yourself. But if you're the only project yourself. But if you're the only church creative that can be counted on, church creative that can be counted on, church creative that can be counted on, you'll be severely limited. That means you'll be severely limited. That means you'll be severely limited. That means you need others. And to make it work, you need others. And to make it work, you need others. And to make it work, you'll need policy. We call it the rule you'll need policy. We call it the rule you'll need policy. We call it the rule book for leading creative church book for leading creative church book for leading creative church departments. And we're here to share it departments. And we're here to share it departments. And we're here to share it with you. Let's dive in. with you. Let's dive in. with you. Let's dive in. Well, hey there and welcome to the Well, hey there and welcome to the Well, hey there and welcome to the ProChurch Tool Show. We're here to help ProChurch Tool Show. We're here to help ProChurch Tool Show. We're here to help you and your church navigate the biggest you and your church navigate the biggest you and your church navigate the biggest communication shift in 500 years. I'm communication shift in 500 years. I'm communication shift in 500 years. I'm Brady Sheerer, your host. I'm joined as Brady Sheerer, your host. I'm joined as Brady Sheerer, your host. I'm joined as always by my co-host. We call him the always by my co-host. We call him the always by my co-host. We call him the mustache minister. It's Alexander Mills. mustache minister. It's Alexander Mills. mustache minister. It's Alexander Mills. Hello. Hello. So, I just returned from Hello. Hello. So, I just returned from Hello. Hello. So, I just returned from my trip to the Baltic States. Great to my trip to the Baltic States. Great to my trip to the Baltic States. Great to be home. We visited Lithuania, Latvia, be home. We visited Lithuania, Latvia, be home. We visited Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and the nonBaltic state, but Estonia, and the nonBaltic state, but Estonia, and the nonBaltic state, but separated by a 60-minute ferry ride, so separated by a 60-minute ferry ride, so separated by a 60-minute ferry ride, so you might as well go anyway. Finland. you might as well go anyway. Finland. you might as well go anyway. Finland. And we had this meetup that was And we had this meetup that was And we had this meetup that was organized by a woman named Hannah in organized by a woman named Hannah in organized by a woman named Hannah in Estonia in their capital, Talin. There Estonia in their capital, Talin. There Estonia in their capital, Talin. There were 12 different churches that showed were 12 different churches that showed were 12 different churches that showed up, four different denominations. There up, four different denominations. There up, four different denominations. There was a a a Christian radio station, a TV was a a a Christian radio station, a TV was a a a Christian radio station, a TV channel. So like it was really cool. So channel. So like it was really cool. So channel. So like it was really cool. So all the Christians showed up to see all the Christians showed up to see all the Christians showed up to see Brady. There was like a threehour event Brady. There was like a threehour event Brady. There was like a threehour event where there was some Q&A and then there where there was some Q&A and then there where there was some Q&A and then there was like breakouts and what I did was I was like breakouts and what I did was I was like breakouts and what I did was I got to go to each individual table and got to go to each individual table and got to go to each individual table and we did some like Q&A with like a small we did some like Q&A with like a small we did some like Q&A with like a small group of that individual church. So I'm group of that individual church. So I'm group of that individual church. So I'm at one of the tables at one of the tables at one of the tables and the three women there are talking and the three women there are talking and the three women there are talking about how their church is under 10 years about how their church is under 10 years about how their church is under 10 years old, newer church, mostly young old, newer church, mostly young old, newer church, mostly young families. I was like, "Oh, what an families. I was like, "Oh, what an families. I was like, "Oh, what an exciting time to be in a church." And exciting time to be in a church." And exciting time to be in a church." And they were like, "Yes, but we have like they were like, "Yes, but we have like they were like, "Yes, but we have like hit this aggravating, irritating point

hit this aggravating, irritating point hit this aggravating, irritating point where we, the social media and creative where we, the social media and creative where we, the social media and creative team, are trying to do things, but we team, are trying to do things, but we team, are trying to do things, but we keep running into this other person, a keep running into this other person, a keep running into this other person, a gentleman of some creative persuasion gentleman of some creative persuasion gentleman of some creative persuasion was my understanding." And like no was my understanding." And like no was my understanding." And like no matter what we do, he'll say, "Well, matter what we do, he'll say, "Well, matter what we do, he'll say, "Well, actually, it's no good for these actually, it's no good for these actually, it's no good for these reasons." And there was like this like reasons." And there was like this like reasons." And there was like this like paralysis at the table because I was paralysis at the table because I was paralysis at the table because I was saying, "Okay, what do we want to work saying, "Okay, what do we want to work saying, "Okay, what do we want to work on?" And they're like, "Well, like just on?" And they're like, "Well, like just on?" And they're like, "Well, like just it's just a lot." And I was like, it's just a lot." And I was like, it's just a lot." And I was like, "Okay." Um, so I kept working backwards "Okay." Um, so I kept working backwards "Okay." Um, so I kept working backwards like, "Tell me about your church. Okay, like, "Tell me about your church. Okay, like, "Tell me about your church. Okay, tell me about where you are. Tell me tell me about where you are. Tell me tell me about where you are. Tell me about where you want to go." And what we about where you want to go." And what we about where you want to go." And what we eventually landed on was ultimately eventually landed on was ultimately eventually landed on was ultimately there is interpersonal conflict within there is interpersonal conflict within there is interpersonal conflict within this creative ministry that is this creative ministry that is this creative ministry that is preventing anything from being done. And preventing anything from being done. And preventing anything from being done. And it's it's so ironic because we will have it's it's so ironic because we will have it's it's so ironic because we will have these episodes every single week where these episodes every single week where these episodes every single week where we talk about tactics and strategies, we talk about tactics and strategies, we talk about tactics and strategies, what's working in churches, what's not what's working in churches, what's not what's working in churches, what's not working in churches. And in a vacuum, in working in churches. And in a vacuum, in working in churches. And in a vacuum, in a perfect world, the application would a perfect world, the application would a perfect world, the application would be great, we learn the thing and we do be great, we learn the thing and we do be great, we learn the thing and we do it. I'd love to do that thing, Brady. it. I'd love to do that thing, Brady. it. I'd love to do that thing, Brady. But then there are other people. They But then there are other people. They But then there are other people. They need convincing, they need empathy. They need convincing, they need empathy. They need convincing, they need empathy. They need collaboration because we can't do need collaboration because we can't do need collaboration because we can't do everything on our own. component. So everything on our own. component. So everything on our own. component. So what we're going to discuss here are a what we're going to discuss here are a what we're going to discuss here are a trio of different steps that we can take trio of different steps that we can take trio of different steps that we can take the rule book for creative church the rule book for creative church the rule book for creative church departments. We're going to start with departments. We're going to start with departments. We're going to start with the emergency mode. This is what I the emergency mode. This is what I the emergency mode. This is what I talked with with this table. I said, talked with with this table. I said, talked with with this table. I said, "Okay, we're we we have a few minutes "Okay, we're we we have a few minutes "Okay, we're we we have a few minutes together. We can't like establish an together. We can't like establish an together. We can't like establish an entire creative policy." So this is the entire creative policy." So this is the entire creative policy." So this is the emergency mode. Start here. Then we're emergency mode. Start here. Then we're emergency mode. Start here. Then we're going to move to basic mode. Once you going to move to basic mode. Once you going to move to basic mode. Once you get past emergency, okay, this is good.

get past emergency, okay, this is good. get past emergency, okay, this is good. We'll get to advanced mode. Really, this We'll get to advanced mode. Really, this We'll get to advanced mode. Really, this should just be titled ideal mode. This should just be titled ideal mode. This should just be titled ideal mode. This is where we want to get to. There are is where we want to get to. There are is where we want to get to. There are exact strategies and policies and values exact strategies and policies and values exact strategies and policies and values and rules that you can copy and we'll go and rules that you can copy and we'll go and rules that you can copy and we'll go in that order. So shall we start with in that order. So shall we start with in that order. So shall we start with the emergency mode? The emergency mode. the emergency mode? The emergency mode. the emergency mode? The emergency mode. So what I said to this church, these So what I said to this church, these So what I said to this church, these three leaders was okay, you're working three leaders was okay, you're working three leaders was okay, you're working on a creative project and another person on a creative project and another person on a creative project and another person on the team says either I disagree with on the team says either I disagree with on the team says either I disagree with this project and its trajectory or I this project and its trajectory or I this project and its trajectory or I disagree with the creative execution disagree with the creative execution disagree with the creative execution sure of this project. I said what do you sure of this project. I said what do you sure of this project. I said what do you do? They said, "Well, I like what I like do? They said, "Well, I like what I like do? They said, "Well, I like what I like and they like what they like, so we're and they like what they like, so we're and they like what they like, so we're screwed." And so, here I am at this screwed." And so, here I am at this screwed." And so, here I am at this breakout looking for uh what Brady Sheer breakout looking for uh what Brady Sheer breakout looking for uh what Brady Sheer has to say, so I can bring that back to has to say, so I can bring that back to has to say, so I can bring that back to the table. So, I said the emergency mode the table. So, I said the emergency mode the table. So, I said the emergency mode that we can do right away. And I did that we can do right away. And I did that we can do right away. And I did tell them that ideally we get to a place tell them that ideally we get to a place tell them that ideally we get to a place of policy. I said, in light of that not of policy. I said, in light of that not of policy. I said, in light of that not existing, yeah, you're stuck, right? existing, yeah, you're stuck, right? existing, yeah, you're stuck, right? Because the idea is you you put the Because the idea is you you put the Because the idea is you you put the policy in place, you install it, policy in place, you install it, policy in place, you install it, everyone agrees to it, and then weeks everyone agrees to it, and then weeks everyone agrees to it, and then weeks and or months later, days, hours, when a and or months later, days, hours, when a and or months later, days, hours, when a conflict arises, you go, "Okay, great.

conflict arises, you go, "Okay, great. conflict arises, you go, "Okay, great. This is fine. We all agree to this This is fine. We all agree to this This is fine. We all agree to this policy." The policy will be what policy." The policy will be what policy." The policy will be what determines how we move forward. Because determines how we move forward. Because determines how we move forward. Because that's what we want, right? Let's say that's what we want, right? Let's say that's what we want, right? Let's say Alex wants to do something and I want to Alex wants to do something and I want to Alex wants to do something and I want to do something. It shouldn't come down to do something. It shouldn't come down to do something. It shouldn't come down to who has seniority, right? It shouldn't who has seniority, right? It shouldn't who has seniority, right? It shouldn't come down to who can argue their come down to who can argue their come down to who can argue their creative idea better. Right? It should creative idea better. Right? It should creative idea better. Right? It should come down to what creative solution come down to what creative solution come down to what creative solution better serves the church's mission. And better serves the church's mission. And better serves the church's mission. And so, this is the emergency mode that I so, this is the emergency mode that I so, this is the emergency mode that I told this church. Right now, you have no told this church. Right now, you have no told this church. Right now, you have no policy. It's a tough spot. But what you policy. It's a tough spot. But what you policy. It's a tough spot. But what you do have almost certainly is some mission do have almost certainly is some mission do have almost certainly is some mission for why your church exists. And perhaps for why your church exists. And perhaps for why your church exists. And perhaps you have it clearly articulated, written you have it clearly articulated, written you have it clearly articulated, written down somewhere or or perhaps it's more down somewhere or or perhaps it's more down somewhere or or perhaps it's more of an abstract idea, but nonetheless, of an abstract idea, but nonetheless, of an abstract idea, but nonetheless, your church has a reason for existing. your church has a reason for existing. your church has a reason for existing. So, establish what that is. And then the So, establish what that is. And then the So, establish what that is. And then the conversation becomes my creative conversation becomes my creative conversation becomes my creative execution of this idea I believe serves execution of this idea I believe serves execution of this idea I believe serves this mission because of this or I this mission because of this or I this mission because of this or I believe this creative idea existing at believe this creative idea existing at believe this creative idea existing at all serves the church's mission in this all serves the church's mission in this all serves the church's mission in this way and then the other person has the way and then the other person has the way and then the other person has the ability to have a conversation and they ability to have a conversation and they ability to have a conversation and they can present their belief assuming it's can present their belief assuming it's can present their belief assuming it's antithe antithet antithetical to yours.

antithe antithet antithetical to yours. antithe antithet antithetical to yours. Yeah. The analogy is this. I said, "The Yeah. The analogy is this. I said, "The Yeah. The analogy is this. I said, "The reason we're just sitting at this table reason we're just sitting at this table reason we're just sitting at this table and we're having a conversation about and we're having a conversation about and we're having a conversation about like what do we even do next?" And every like what do we even do next?" And every like what do we even do next?" And every other table was like, "We want to do other table was like, "We want to do other table was like, "We want to do this or we're having trouble with this this or we're having trouble with this this or we're having trouble with this and this." And this table was like, "I I and this." And this table was like, "I I and this." And this table was like, "I I I just don't even know where to start." I just don't even know where to start." I just don't even know where to start." Is because it's like we're all in a car. Is because it's like we're all in a car. Is because it's like we're all in a car. There's the four of us. There's the There's the four of us. There's the There's the four of us. There's the three of you and this other mysterious three of you and this other mysterious three of you and this other mysterious person. And we can't even decide where person. And we can't even decide where person. And we can't even decide where we're trying to get to on this journey, we're trying to get to on this journey, we're trying to get to on this journey, right? So, like, of course, we can't right? So, like, of course, we can't right? So, like, of course, we can't turn the ignition. Yeah. It's not just turn the ignition. Yeah. It's not just turn the ignition. Yeah. It's not just how to get there. It's like literally how to get there. It's like literally how to get there. It's like literally where are we going? Right. I said the where are we going? Right. I said the where are we going? Right. I said the emergency mode is we need to decide emergency mode is we need to decide emergency mode is we need to decide where we're going. Once we've agreed where we're going. Once we've agreed where we're going. Once we've agreed upon that destination, now we can have a upon that destination, now we can have a upon that destination, now we can have a conversation of how we're going to get conversation of how we're going to get conversation of how we're going to get there. Well, and that's a perfect there. Well, and that's a perfect there. Well, and that's a perfect analogy because once you decide where analogy because once you decide where analogy because once you decide where you're going, there are many ways to get you're going, there are many ways to get you're going, there are many ways to get there. There are direct routes to get to there. There are direct routes to get to there. There are direct routes to get to any destination. And there are scenic any destination. And there are scenic any destination. And there are scenic routes. You know, you put those up routes. You know, you put those up routes. You know, you put those up against each other as one is is um against each other as one is is um against each other as one is is um efficient and one is uh beautiful. And efficient and one is uh beautiful. And efficient and one is uh beautiful. And it's like, well then then once you it's like, well then then once you it's like, well then then once you discern where you're going, you can discern where you're going, you can discern where you're going, you can decide, well, do we have a lot of time decide, well, do we have a lot of time decide, well, do we have a lot of time and do we want to enjoy the process?

and do we want to enjoy the process? and do we want to enjoy the process? Because then we can take the scene Because then we can take the scene Because then we can take the scene group. But if we're strapped on time, group. But if we're strapped on time, group. But if we're strapped on time, let's take the directory. That's how you let's take the directory. That's how you let's take the directory. That's how you you work backwards from the goal. Um, you work backwards from the goal. Um, you work backwards from the goal. Um, and so anchoring this to the church's and so anchoring this to the church's and so anchoring this to the church's mission and vision. when you're stuck mission and vision. when you're stuck mission and vision. when you're stuck and you need like you're in emergency and you need like you're in emergency and you need like you're in emergency mode and you need to you need to make mode and you need to you need to make mode and you need to you need to make movement. If you don't have pre-existing movement. If you don't have pre-existing movement. If you don't have pre-existing policy, if you're a young church that policy, if you're a young church that policy, if you're a young church that doesn't have pre-existing policy, um doesn't have pre-existing policy, um doesn't have pre-existing policy, um anchoring it to your your church's anchoring it to your your church's anchoring it to your your church's mission and vision, which certainly mission and vision, which certainly mission and vision, which certainly already exists, like you said, braid, already exists, like you said, braid, already exists, like you said, braid, whether it's like articulated on the whether it's like articulated on the whether it's like articulated on the wall or uh on the website, wherever, or wall or uh on the website, wherever, or wall or uh on the website, wherever, or if it's kind of just unspoken, that's if it's kind of just unspoken, that's if it's kind of just unspoken, that's that's a a way to get unstuck. It's that's a a way to get unstuck. It's that's a a way to get unstuck. It's like, okay, let's take a step back from like, okay, let's take a step back from like, okay, let's take a step back from each other, from this situation for a each other, from this situation for a each other, from this situation for a moment. recognize that this church moment. recognize that this church moment. recognize that this church exists for a reason and so let's hold exists for a reason and so let's hold exists for a reason and so let's hold this this predicament up against this this this predicament up against this this this predicament up against this mission that we have agreed on just by mission that we have agreed on just by mission that we have agreed on just by being here just by belonging to this being here just by belonging to this being here just by belonging to this church. We can get to sussing out formal church. We can get to sussing out formal church. We can get to sussing out formal policy for these decisions later on but policy for these decisions later on but policy for these decisions later on but for now we just need to move forward on for now we just need to move forward on for now we just need to move forward on this one thing. Let's work through an this one thing. Let's work through an this one thing. Let's work through an example. So you might be asking okay example. So you might be asking okay example. So you might be asking okay what do you mean by mission? Truthfully, what do you mean by mission? Truthfully, what do you mean by mission? Truthfully, there are actually a number of different there are actually a number of different there are actually a number of different uh articulations of why your church uh articulations of why your church uh articulations of why your church exists that could serve as this line of exists that could serve as this line of exists that could serve as this line of delineation or this true north on the delineation or this true north on the delineation or this true north on the compass. There could be purpose, compass. There could be purpose, compass. There could be purpose, mission, vision, values. We did an mission, vision, values. We did an mission, vision, values. We did an episode on this in the past on church episode on this in the past on church episode on this in the past on church brand strategy. Purpose is why we exist.

brand strategy. Purpose is why we exist. brand strategy. Purpose is why we exist. Mission is what we do. Vision is where Mission is what we do. Vision is where Mission is what we do. Vision is where we're going. Values are how we behave. we're going. Values are how we behave. we're going. Values are how we behave. So, here's an example of a church So, here's an example of a church So, here's an example of a church mission statement. It's very, very mission statement. It's very, very mission statement. It's very, very broad. So, if you have nothing, your broad. So, if you have nothing, your broad. So, if you have nothing, your church could probably take this, make a church could probably take this, make a church could probably take this, make a few tweaks if you if you want, and few tweaks if you if you want, and few tweaks if you if you want, and install it right away. Our mission is to install it right away. Our mission is to install it right away. Our mission is to create a welcoming environment where create a welcoming environment where create a welcoming environment where individuals can encounter God, grow in individuals can encounter God, grow in individuals can encounter God, grow in their faith, and engage in meaningful their faith, and engage in meaningful their faith, and engage in meaningful relationships through worship, relationships through worship, relationships through worship, disciplehip, outreach, and service. We disciplehip, outreach, and service. We disciplehip, outreach, and service. We strive to reflect Christ's love to Talin strive to reflect Christ's love to Talin strive to reflect Christ's love to Talin and beyond. Love it. If you don't live and beyond. Love it. If you don't live and beyond. Love it. If you don't live in Talin, replace it with swap that out. in Talin, replace it with swap that out. in Talin, replace it with swap that out. Saratoga Springs, whatever it is. So, if Saratoga Springs, whatever it is. So, if Saratoga Springs, whatever it is. So, if I was going to make a case for my I was going to make a case for my I was going to make a case for my creative project, let's imagine that we creative project, let's imagine that we creative project, let's imagine that we I'm on the social team. Mhm. I want to I'm on the social team. Mhm. I want to I'm on the social team. Mhm. I want to do a post where we set up a phone and we do a post where we set up a phone and we do a post where we set up a phone and we tape a piece of paper on the back of the tape a piece of paper on the back of the tape a piece of paper on the back of the phone. Right. We've talked about this in phone. Right. We've talked about this in phone. Right. We've talked about this in a recent episode, right? And the prompt a recent episode, right? And the prompt a recent episode, right? And the prompt says like, "Show us how excited you are says like, "Show us how excited you are says like, "Show us how excited you are for church this morning and we just hit for church this morning and we just hit for church this morning and we just hit record for the 15 minutes before service record for the 15 minutes before service record for the 15 minutes before service begins and we record people on the begins and we record people on the begins and we record people on the phone, you know, doing their happy phone, you know, doing their happy phone, you know, doing their happy dance. We cut it up into this montage dance. We cut it up into this montage dance. We cut it up into this montage that we post on social media." And I'm a that we post on social media." And I'm a that we post on social media." And I'm a kaggen who says, "I I don't think that's kaggen who says, "I I don't think that's kaggen who says, "I I don't think that's good strategy for our page." Right.

good strategy for our page." Right. good strategy for our page." Right. Exactly. So what I would say at this Exactly. So what I would say at this Exactly. So what I would say at this point because I've talked about my point because I've talked about my point because I've talked about my preference and pastor Alex the cremagan preference and pastor Alex the cremagan preference and pastor Alex the cremagan that he almost always is has talked that he almost always is has talked that he almost always is has talked about his personal preference. What I about his personal preference. What I about his personal preference. What I would do is I would come to this would do is I would come to this would do is I would come to this discussion table and say look in our discussion table and say look in our discussion table and say look in our mission we talk about being a welcoming mission we talk about being a welcoming mission we talk about being a welcoming church and creating a welcoming church and creating a welcoming church and creating a welcoming environment. My belief is that this type environment. My belief is that this type environment. My belief is that this type of post illustrates how welcoming we of post illustrates how welcoming we of post illustrates how welcoming we are. If someone lands on our social page are. If someone lands on our social page are. If someone lands on our social page and they say oh okay what's this church and they say oh okay what's this church and they say oh okay what's this church all about? and they see this post, what all about? and they see this post, what all about? and they see this post, what does it immediately tell them it? And does it immediately tell them it? And does it immediately tell them it? And it's show don't tell. We're not it's show don't tell. We're not it's show don't tell. We're not describing our church. We're describing our church. We're describing our church. We're demonstrating that we actually are what demonstrating that we actually are what demonstrating that we actually are what we say and have set out to be. We are a we say and have set out to be. We are a we say and have set out to be. We are a welcoming place. That is so much more welcoming place. That is so much more welcoming place. That is so much more compelling and convincing of an argument compelling and convincing of an argument compelling and convincing of an argument than well actually a lot of churches are than well actually a lot of churches are than well actually a lot of churches are doing this. That's right. That's right. doing this. That's right. That's right. doing this. That's right. That's right. Or Alex's position which is like this is Or Alex's position which is like this is Or Alex's position which is like this is like a little too trendy. This like like a little too trendy. This like like a little too trendy. This like doesn't feel like us. Um but without any doesn't feel like us. Um but without any doesn't feel like us. Um but without any description as to why. Yes. You can't description as to why. Yes. You can't description as to why. Yes. You can't just say like this doesn't feel like us. just say like this doesn't feel like us. just say like this doesn't feel like us. It's like when you talk with designers It's like when you talk with designers It's like when you talk with designers and the person who is leading the and the person who is leading the and the person who is leading the project says like I just need it to pop project says like I just need it to pop project says like I just need it to pop more. I just need it to pop. And you're more. I just need it to pop. And you're more. I just need it to pop. And you're like well no I hear you right. Um but like well no I hear you right. Um but like well no I hear you right. Um but like what does that actually mean? So like what does that actually mean? So like what does that actually mean? So that's a good example of this. Now that's a good example of this. Now that's a good example of this. Now that's the emergency mode. So if you are that's the emergency mode. So if you are that's the emergency mode. So if you are dealing with something right away and dealing with something right away and dealing with something right away and you're like I don't have time to install you're like I don't have time to install you're like I don't have time to install policy. I got to work through this policy. I got to work through this policy. I got to work through this conflict right now. The church exists conflict right now. The church exists conflict right now. The church exists for a reason. So that policy technically for a reason. So that policy technically for a reason. So that policy technically already exists. You may not have used already exists. You may not have used already exists. You may not have used these types of words but you can. Let's these types of words but you can. Let's these types of words but you can. Let's move next to the basic mode. This is move next to the basic mode. This is move next to the basic mode. This is where we reach the limits of the where we reach the limits of the where we reach the limits of the emergency mode where we're getting into

emergency mode where we're getting into emergency mode where we're getting into more nuanced conversations where more nuanced conversations where more nuanced conversations where something as broad as being a welcoming something as broad as being a welcoming something as broad as being a welcoming church doesn't necessarily serve us in church doesn't necessarily serve us in church doesn't necessarily serve us in solving the disagreement between two solving the disagreement between two solving the disagreement between two parties. So the basic mode moves us from parties. So the basic mode moves us from parties. So the basic mode moves us from church mission as our policy to the church mission as our policy to the church mission as our policy to the ministry mission as the policy. So now ministry mission as the policy. So now ministry mission as the policy. So now we're looking at establishing mission we're looking at establishing mission we're looking at establishing mission for the creative ministry itself, which for the creative ministry itself, which for the creative ministry itself, which would be an offshoot of the church's would be an offshoot of the church's would be an offshoot of the church's ministry mission, but more specific. So ministry mission, but more specific. So ministry mission, but more specific. So here's what I wrote down for a creative here's what I wrote down for a creative here's what I wrote down for a creative department's mission. Quote, "Our department's mission. Quote, "Our department's mission. Quote, "Our mission is to use creative expression to mission is to use creative expression to mission is to use creative expression to glorify God, inspire worship, and glorify God, inspire worship, and glorify God, inspire worship, and communicate his truth with excellence communicate his truth with excellence communicate his truth with excellence and authenticity through media, music, and authenticity through media, music, and authenticity through media, music, design, and the arts. We aim to create design, and the arts. We aim to create design, and the arts. We aim to create environments where people can encounter environments where people can encounter environments where people can encounter God and be drawn into deeper God and be drawn into deeper God and be drawn into deeper relationship with him and one another. relationship with him and one another. relationship with him and one another. So you can see how this is connected to So you can see how this is connected to So you can see how this is connected to the church's mission. For example, the the church's mission. For example, the the church's mission. For example, the church's mission talks about through church's mission talks about through church's mission talks about through worship. In here, we write it as inspire worship. In here, we write it as inspire worship. In here, we write it as inspire worship, right? So if we were talking worship, right? So if we were talking worship, right? So if we were talking about a creative project and why we want about a creative project and why we want about a creative project and why we want to pursue it, we could describe it and to pursue it, we could describe it and to pursue it, we could describe it and defend it through the lens of this will defend it through the lens of this will defend it through the lens of this will help inspire worship. Yeah. as an help inspire worship. Yeah. as an help inspire worship. Yeah. as an example. And now we have even more example. And now we have even more example. And now we have even more nuanced, more specific language to talk nuanced, more specific language to talk nuanced, more specific language to talk about creative problems. Uh some other about creative problems. Uh some other about creative problems. Uh some other key words that I think showed up here, key words that I think showed up here, key words that I think showed up here, excellence and authenticity. I really excellence and authenticity. I really excellence and authenticity. I really think those are necessary in any think those are necessary in any think those are necessary in any creative department's mission statement creative department's mission statement creative department's mission statement because you want to do things well. Mhm.

because you want to do things well. Mhm. because you want to do things well. Mhm. And so if that is codified, it gives you And so if that is codified, it gives you And so if that is codified, it gives you that backs stop to approach someone who that backs stop to approach someone who that backs stop to approach someone who is maybe not skilled enough just yet or is maybe not skilled enough just yet or is maybe not skilled enough just yet or someone that has created something and someone that has created something and someone that has created something and and you're like, well, you did work on and you're like, well, you did work on and you're like, well, you did work on this, but just because you created it this, but just because you created it this, but just because you created it doesn't necessarily mean we need to doesn't necessarily mean we need to doesn't necessarily mean we need to platform it. And now it's not you versus platform it. And now it's not you versus platform it. And now it's not you versus that person, but again, it's both of you that person, but again, it's both of you that person, but again, it's both of you working within the boundaries of the working within the boundaries of the working within the boundaries of the ministry's mission statement. That's ministry's mission statement. That's ministry's mission statement. That's right. And I I hope at this point in right. And I I hope at this point in right. And I I hope at this point in this episode, you know, we're talking a this episode, you know, we're talking a this episode, you know, we're talking a lot about um creative teams and lot about um creative teams and lot about um creative teams and specifically to examples that relate to specifically to examples that relate to specifically to examples that relate to creative teams. Um, of course, because creative teams. Um, of course, because creative teams. Um, of course, because this was sparked by a conversation you this was sparked by a conversation you this was sparked by a conversation you were having with creatives. But I hope were having with creatives. But I hope were having with creatives. But I hope for anyone listening to this episode in for anyone listening to this episode in for anyone listening to this episode in particular right now, they're noticing particular right now, they're noticing particular right now, they're noticing regardless of what ministry you belong regardless of what ministry you belong regardless of what ministry you belong to, you volunteer in, you are on staff to, you volunteer in, you are on staff to, you volunteer in, you are on staff in, you're you want to join, um each one in, you're you want to join, um each one in, you're you want to join, um each one of our ministries in church, whether of our ministries in church, whether of our ministries in church, whether it's kids or youth or um the teaching it's kids or youth or um the teaching it's kids or youth or um the teaching team or creative or worship. It would it team or creative or worship. It would it team or creative or worship. It would it would benefit you to take some time would benefit you to take some time would benefit you to take some time maybe this week or or in the future, the maybe this week or or in the future, the maybe this week or or in the future, the near future to write out a ministry um near future to write out a ministry um near future to write out a ministry um mission here for your ministry. Uh, I'm mission here for your ministry. Uh, I'm mission here for your ministry. Uh, I'm thinking about kids in particular thinking about kids in particular thinking about kids in particular because the the the global mission of because the the the global mission of because the the the global mission of what kids leaders do in in their what kids leaders do in in their what kids leaders do in in their ministry compared to the other ministry compared to the other ministry compared to the other ministries, it's all shared. It's the ministries, it's all shared. It's the ministries, it's all shared. It's the church's mission. But practically, the church's mission. But practically, the church's mission. But practically, the way that you you embody that ministry way that you you embody that ministry way that you you embody that ministry when you're speaking to children is so when you're speaking to children is so when you're speaking to children is so much different than even youth and much different than even youth and much different than even youth and certainly adults. And so having specific certainly adults. And so having specific certainly adults. And so having specific ministry missions that serve as policy ministry missions that serve as policy ministry missions that serve as policy for how you make decisions in that

for how you make decisions in that for how you make decisions in that ministry um will end up serving your ministry um will end up serving your ministry um will end up serving your your collective body, your entire church your collective body, your entire church your collective body, your entire church so so well. So right away you can go to so so well. So right away you can go to so so well. So right away you can go to emergency mode. Whatever conflict that emergency mode. Whatever conflict that emergency mode. Whatever conflict that you're dealing with, you're creating a you're dealing with, you're creating a you're dealing with, you're creating a graphic for you know summer camp and graphic for you know summer camp and graphic for you know summer camp and someone's like well actually x y and z. someone's like well actually x y and z. someone's like well actually x y and z. Okay, put in the church's mission. Let's Okay, put in the church's mission. Let's Okay, put in the church's mission. Let's have a conversation. What you should have a conversation. What you should have a conversation. What you should also start doing right away also start doing right away also start doing right away is finalizing or creating for the first is finalizing or creating for the first is finalizing or creating for the first time if you don't yet have one a time if you don't yet have one a time if you don't yet have one a ministry specific mission for the ministry specific mission for the ministry specific mission for the creative team. And what I love about creative team. And what I love about creative team. And what I love about this approach is it works for any size this approach is it works for any size this approach is it works for any size church. If you are a smaller church, an church. If you are a smaller church, an church. If you are a smaller church, an everyday church with like one person and everyday church with like one person and everyday church with like one person and you have like one other person that you have like one other person that you have like one other person that you're working with or it's you but you're working with or it's you but you're working with or it's you but you're dealing with the senior leader. you're dealing with the senior leader. you're dealing with the senior leader. Great. Create the ministry mission Great. Create the ministry mission Great. Create the ministry mission statement and start doing it just statement and start doing it just statement and start doing it just between you and the senior leader. If between you and the senior leader. If between you and the senior leader. If you are a giant church and you're you are a giant church and you're you are a giant church and you're dealing with dozens of creatives and you dealing with dozens of creatives and you dealing with dozens of creatives and you don't yet have this and I got a DM don't yet have this and I got a DM don't yet have this and I got a DM separately, this is not an Estonian DM, separately, this is not an Estonian DM, separately, this is not an Estonian DM, this is presumably an American DM this is presumably an American DM this is presumably an American DM yesterday from a guy and he said, I am yesterday from a guy and he said, I am yesterday from a guy and he said, I am from a large and well-known church. And from a large and well-known church. And from a large and well-known church. And I said, okay, I'm not going to ask. And I said, okay, I'm not going to ask. And I said, okay, I'm not going to ask. And he's like, I keep trying to do things he's like, I keep trying to do things he's like, I keep trying to do things and I have a heart for design, but and I have a heart for design, but and I have a heart for design, but sometimes the main branch will send me sometimes the main branch will send me sometimes the main branch will send me graphics that they say to push, but they graphics that they say to push, but they graphics that they say to push, but they are a atrocity. And I said to this guy, are a atrocity. And I said to this guy, are a atrocity. And I said to this guy, I said, "Okay, like what's the policy I said, "Okay, like what's the policy I said, "Okay, like what's the policy andor what is like the infrastructure andor what is like the infrastructure andor what is like the infrastructure that exists that allows for the main that exists that allows for the main that exists that allows for the main department to say like you have to press department to say like you have to press department to say like you have to press this, you have to push this and like and this, you have to push this and like and this, you have to push this and like and he's like, I don't know, they just tell he's like, I don't know, they just tell he's like, I don't know, they just tell me what to do and I just tried to do it me what to do and I just tried to do it me what to do and I just tried to do it and that's why I'm writing you because I and that's why I'm writing you because I and that's why I'm writing you because I don't want to do it anymore." I'm like, don't want to do it anymore." I'm like, don't want to do it anymore." I'm like, "Okay, the bigger issue is not the fact "Okay, the bigger issue is not the fact "Okay, the bigger issue is not the fact that," and he showed me the graphic was

that," and he showed me the graphic was that," and he showed me the graphic was poorly designed. Like it's not the poorly designed. Like it's not the poorly designed. Like it's not the graphic. The bigger issue is there's no graphic. The bigger issue is there's no graphic. The bigger issue is there's no infrastructure here whatsoever. And I infrastructure here whatsoever. And I infrastructure here whatsoever. And I told him, I was like, "That's a huge red told him, I was like, "That's a huge red told him, I was like, "That's a huge red flag in a church of your size. It's flag in a church of your size. It's flag in a church of your size. It's totally a thing that you can get by with totally a thing that you can get by with totally a thing that you can get by with in a smaller ministry because you're in a smaller ministry because you're in a smaller ministry because you're dealing with like one other person. And dealing with like one other person. And dealing with like one other person. And if you have good rapport with them, if if you have good rapport with them, if if you have good rapport with them, if you have good social equity, you can get you have good social equity, you can get you have good social equity, you can get by without actual mission because you by without actual mission because you by without actual mission because you can just work on conflict resolution can just work on conflict resolution can just work on conflict resolution together. We saw this with our own team together. We saw this with our own team together. We saw this with our own team as it grew. We could no longer do as it grew. We could no longer do as it grew. We could no longer do interpersonal conflict resolution at interpersonal conflict resolution at interpersonal conflict resolution at scale because it was just too many scale because it was just too many scale because it was just too many things. It was becoming this bottleneck things. It was becoming this bottleneck things. It was becoming this bottleneck for what we created. So the for what we created. So the for what we created. So the infrastructure needs to exist there. infrastructure needs to exist there. infrastructure needs to exist there. Small church, large church. What you Small church, large church. What you Small church, large church. What you should start installing right away is should start installing right away is should start installing right away is the mission statement for your creative the mission statement for your creative the mission statement for your creative ministry. Take what we have here, copy ministry. Take what we have here, copy ministry. Take what we have here, copy it, rejigger it, put in contextual stuff it, rejigger it, put in contextual stuff it, rejigger it, put in contextual stuff that's unique to you, and then we can that's unique to you, and then we can that's unique to you, and then we can get to the actual advanced mode, aka the get to the actual advanced mode, aka the get to the actual advanced mode, aka the ideal mode, because we will hit the ideal mode, because we will hit the ideal mode, because we will hit the limitations of just a singular ministry limitations of just a singular ministry limitations of just a singular ministry mission statement. How? Well, let's say mission statement. How? Well, let's say mission statement. How? Well, let's say you talk about excellence and you talk about excellence and you talk about excellence and authenticity. Okay, Alex's definition of authenticity. Okay, Alex's definition of authenticity. Okay, Alex's definition of excellence is this. Sure, my definition excellence is this. Sure, my definition excellence is this. Sure, my definition of excellence is that well we both are of excellence is that well we both are of excellence is that well we both are approaching it in the same way but our approaching it in the same way but our approaching it in the same way but our personal preference is now kind of like personal preference is now kind of like personal preference is now kind of like masquerading as excellence. What do we masquerading as excellence. What do we masquerading as excellence. What do we do? Advanced mode. This is where we get do? Advanced mode. This is where we get do? Advanced mode. This is where we get into actual ministry policy. Not a into actual ministry policy. Not a into actual ministry policy. Not a singular statement but a singular singular statement but a singular singular statement but a singular statement that is then governed by a statement that is then governed by a statement that is then governed by a series of policy values or policy series of policy values or policy series of policy values or policy statements. We have nine here that I statements. We have nine here that I statements. We have nine here that I wrote down. These nine I use. you can wrote down. These nine I use. you can wrote down. These nine I use. you can copy and steal them. And there's three copy and steal them. And there's three copy and steal them. And there's three categories for the nine statements. So

categories for the nine statements. So categories for the nine statements. So we have three dedicated to team. We have we have three dedicated to team. We have we have three dedicated to team. We have three dedicated to the ministry and we three dedicated to the ministry and we three dedicated to the ministry and we have three dedicated to projects. So the have three dedicated to projects. So the have three dedicated to projects. So the three dedicated to projects are how Alex three dedicated to projects are how Alex three dedicated to projects are how Alex and I would figure out like what is and I would figure out like what is and I would figure out like what is excellence? What is authenticity? The excellence? What is authenticity? The excellence? What is authenticity? The three dedicated to ministry or why does three dedicated to ministry or why does three dedicated to ministry or why does this ministry exist? What are we trying this ministry exist? What are we trying this ministry exist? What are we trying to do? And the three dedicated to team to do? And the three dedicated to team to do? And the three dedicated to team are like rules for how we work with each are like rules for how we work with each are like rules for how we work with each other. You all understood? Yeah, we're other. You all understood? Yeah, we're other. You all understood? Yeah, we're on board. We got a trio of triplets. on board. We got a trio of triplets. on board. We got a trio of triplets. Look, a guiding principle broken up into Look, a guiding principle broken up into Look, a guiding principle broken up into a neat pattern. a neat pattern. a neat pattern. Who would have thought? Let's start with Who would have thought? Let's start with Who would have thought? Let's start with number one. The first of three team number one. The first of three team number one. The first of three team policy values. Solutions first. policy values. Solutions first. policy values. Solutions first. Solutions first. This was one that I Solutions first. This was one that I Solutions first. This was one that I shared with the table in Estonia. I shared with the table in Estonia. I shared with the table in Estonia. I said, here's a policy value you could said, here's a policy value you could said, here's a policy value you could set up right away. After you kind of set up right away. After you kind of set up right away. After you kind of work through this emergency issue, work through this emergency issue, work through this emergency issue, solutions first. Because the heart of solutions first. Because the heart of solutions first. Because the heart of what they were saying was like this guy what they were saying was like this guy what they were saying was like this guy is just always critical. He loves to is just always critical. He loves to is just always critical. He loves to poke holes. He loves to say what's poke holes. He loves to say what's poke holes. He loves to say what's wrong. and then he has no desire from wrong. and then he has no desire from wrong. and then he has no desire from their vantage point to contribute or to their vantage point to contribute or to their vantage point to contribute or to present solutions. He's more like I'm present solutions. He's more like I'm present solutions. He's more like I'm just the guy that points out what's just the guy that points out what's just the guy that points out what's wrong. We outlawed that type of guy in wrong. We outlawed that type of guy in wrong. We outlawed that type of guy in our company a long time ago. Said you're our company a long time ago. Said you're our company a long time ago. Said you're not allowed to be that guy. If you are not allowed to be that guy. If you are not allowed to be that guy. If you are if you have a keen eye for what's wrong if you have a keen eye for what's wrong if you have a keen eye for what's wrong without a keen eye for how to help, without a keen eye for how to help, without a keen eye for how to help, right? That's not a thing. Anyone can right? That's not a thing. Anyone can right? That's not a thing. Anyone can point at a car that's broken down and point at a car that's broken down and point at a car that's broken down and say you can't park there, but what can say you can't park there, but what can say you can't park there, but what can we do to solve the problem? And that we do to solve the problem? And that we do to solve the problem? And that personality trait or even that that personality trait or even that that personality trait or even that that skill can be an asset a keen eye for to skill can be an asset a keen eye for to skill can be an asset a keen eye for to be critical of things that other people be critical of things that other people be critical of things that other people wouldn't wouldn't see or wouldn't wouldn't wouldn't see or wouldn't wouldn't wouldn't see or wouldn't notice. But but that's the absolute uh

notice. But but that's the absolute uh notice. But but that's the absolute uh kind of hinge pin of this thing which is kind of hinge pin of this thing which is kind of hinge pin of this thing which is like yes you can be critical and the like yes you can be critical and the like yes you can be critical and the best way to be critical is to to to best way to be critical is to to to best way to be critical is to to to identify the thing that deserves to be identify the thing that deserves to be identify the thing that deserves to be criticized and when you come to the criticized and when you come to the criticized and when you come to the table have a proposed solution first. table have a proposed solution first. table have a proposed solution first. Let's use an example. We were in Let's use an example. We were in Let's use an example. We were in Lithuania and the day we arrived in Lithuania and the day we arrived in Lithuania and the day we arrived in Lithuania in the capital of Vius was the Lithuania in the capital of Vius was the Lithuania in the capital of Vius was the day that 5,000 German battalions, no day that 5,000 German battalions, no day that 5,000 German battalions, no 5,000 German infantry to be a lot of 5,000 German infantry to be a lot of 5,000 German infantry to be a lot of people, a lot of battalions, showed up people, a lot of battalions, showed up people, a lot of battalions, showed up in Lithuania as an act of, hey, we're in Lithuania as an act of, hey, we're in Lithuania as an act of, hey, we're here and they were just permanently here and they were just permanently here and they were just permanently setting up and we know there's a war setting up and we know there's a war setting up and we know there's a war happening really close and we know that happening really close and we know that happening really close and we know that you are like minutes from a border with you are like minutes from a border with you are like minutes from a border with a Bellarus that may not be friendly or a Bellarus that may not be friendly or a Bellarus that may not be friendly or actually Barus. So, we are here and it actually Barus. So, we are here and it actually Barus. So, we are here and it was an interesting day to arrive. No was an interesting day to arrive. No was an interesting day to arrive. No doubt. Because we rolled up and I went doubt. Because we rolled up and I went doubt. Because we rolled up and I went to go take a picture of a church and to go take a picture of a church and to go take a picture of a church and there was a giant tank in front of us there was a giant tank in front of us there was a giant tank in front of us and everyone was taking pictures with and everyone was taking pictures with and everyone was taking pictures with the tank. Yeah. And all the Germans were the tank. Yeah. And all the Germans were the tank. Yeah. And all the Germans were like smiling and taking pictures with like smiling and taking pictures with like smiling and taking pictures with the locals and the and and you could the locals and the and and you could the locals and the and and you could look at like they were all wearing the look at like they were all wearing the look at like they were all wearing the same um army outfit, but depending on same um army outfit, but depending on same um army outfit, but depending on the flag on their shoulder, you could the flag on their shoulder, you could the flag on their shoulder, you could see, oh, they're from Germany or they're see, oh, they're from Germany or they're see, oh, they're from Germany or they're local to Lithuania.

local to Lithuania. local to Lithuania. One of the byproducts of this One of the byproducts of this One of the byproducts of this demonstration was that in the small demonstration was that in the small demonstration was that in the small compact old town of Vius, almost all the compact old town of Vius, almost all the compact old town of Vius, almost all the roads have been shut down. So there was roads have been shut down. So there was roads have been shut down. So there was one road in or out and it was a colossal one road in or out and it was a colossal one road in or out and it was a colossal thunderstorm. So our Uber driver thunderstorm. So our Uber driver thunderstorm. So our Uber driver couldn't get to us when we had to leave couldn't get to us when we had to leave couldn't get to us when we had to leave to go to the airport to catch a flight. to go to the airport to catch a flight. to go to the airport to catch a flight. And we went on seven flights in 10 days And we went on seven flights in 10 days And we went on seven flights in 10 days on this trip. So break neck pace. on this trip. So break neck pace. on this trip. So break neck pace. But I had become accustomed with But I had become accustomed with But I had become accustomed with traveling in the Shenhen area. The great traveling in the Shenhen area. The great traveling in the Shenhen area. The great thing about the Shenhen area, which is thing about the Shenhen area, which is thing about the Shenhen area, which is like this collection of European like this collection of European like this collection of European countries, is that they will not even countries, is that they will not even countries, is that they will not even check your ID when going to the airport. check your ID when going to the airport. check your ID when going to the airport. It is a very strange experience if you It is a very strange experience if you It is a very strange experience if you are from North America. You will roll up are from North America. You will roll up are from North America. You will roll up to the airport, you will scan your to the airport, you will scan your to the airport, you will scan your boarding pass, they'll say that's boarding pass, they'll say that's boarding pass, they'll say that's probably yours. You will then clear probably yours. You will then clear probably yours. You will then clear security and get on the plane. Love it. security and get on the plane. Love it. security and get on the plane. Love it. That's it. You don't have to get up to That's it. You don't have to get up to That's it. You don't have to get up to the airport very early to make this the airport very early to make this the airport very early to make this work. work. work. So, this I'm I'm looking at like the So, this I'm I'm looking at like the So, this I'm I'm looking at like the Uber app and like the time is starting Uber app and like the time is starting Uber app and like the time is starting to tick up because like he can't he's to tick up because like he can't he's to tick up because like he can't he's going down a street and I'm like, "No, going down a street and I'm like, "No, going down a street and I'm like, "No, no, no. You can't go down that street. no, no. You can't go down that street. no, no. You can't go down that street. It's closed today." He probably knows It's closed today." He probably knows It's closed today." He probably knows that. No, no. Gets stuck. Has to U-turn.

that. No, no. Gets stuck. Has to U-turn. that. No, no. Gets stuck. Has to U-turn. And I'm like at a certain point, I just And I'm like at a certain point, I just And I'm like at a certain point, I just DM. I go, "Hey, like we'll just come to DM. I go, "Hey, like we'll just come to DM. I go, "Hey, like we'll just come to you." And he's like, "Okay, like you're you." And he's like, "Okay, like you're you." And he's like, "Okay, like you're pretty close. Torrential downpour." So, pretty close. Torrential downpour." So, pretty close. Torrential downpour." So, I throw up my hood on my rain jacket. We I throw up my hood on my rain jacket. We I throw up my hood on my rain jacket. We cover all of our gear and we walk cover all of our gear and we walk cover all of our gear and we walk through. And it is like it's it's like through. And it is like it's it's like through. And it is like it's it's like the equivalent of when you're driving on the equivalent of when you're driving on the equivalent of when you're driving on the highway and it's it's storming so the highway and it's it's storming so the highway and it's it's storming so much that people pull over. They're much that people pull over. They're much that people pull over. They're like, "I can't drive in this." People like, "I can't drive in this." People like, "I can't drive in this." People were like huddled underneath awnings and were like huddled underneath awnings and were like huddled underneath awnings and me and Pastor Justin are out there. Yes. me and Pastor Justin are out there. Yes. me and Pastor Justin are out there. Yes. Exactly. Soaked. We find him. We get in Exactly. Soaked. We find him. We get in Exactly. Soaked. We find him. We get in the car. He turns around and we're in the car. He turns around and we're in the car. He turns around and we're in one lane, tiny lane traffic. And we sit one lane, tiny lane traffic. And we sit one lane, tiny lane traffic. And we sit there for 10 minutes and we don't move there for 10 minutes and we don't move there for 10 minutes and we don't move one inch. And all the apps are like, one inch. And all the apps are like, one inch. And all the apps are like, "Oh, don't worry. You're like 20 minutes "Oh, don't worry. You're like 20 minutes "Oh, don't worry. You're like 20 minutes away." And then you sat there for 15 away." And then you sat there for 15 away." And then you sat there for 15 minutes and they say you're 20 minutes minutes and they say you're 20 minutes minutes and they say you're 20 minutes away. So, I say to the guy and I say, away. So, I say to the guy and I say, away. So, I say to the guy and I say, "Hey, um, we're going to pay you, but we "Hey, um, we're going to pay you, but we "Hey, um, we're going to pay you, but we have to get out and we're going to walk have to get out and we're going to walk have to get out and we're going to walk again past all this traffic to the again past all this traffic to the again past all this traffic to the actual main road and we'll get on actual main road and we'll get on actual main road and we'll get on another Uber." This man then reveals to another Uber." This man then reveals to another Uber." This man then reveals to us that he speaks not a single word of us that he speaks not a single word of us that he speaks not a single word of English. He's a Ukrainian refugee and he English. He's a Ukrainian refugee and he English. He's a Ukrainian refugee and he only speaks Ukrainian. So, we're using only speaks Ukrainian. So, we're using only speaks Ukrainian. So, we're using Google Translate, which was the first Google Translate, which was the first Google Translate, which was the first time in all the Baltics that we did this time in all the Baltics that we did this time in all the Baltics that we did this because everyone speaks English. So, because everyone speaks English. So, because everyone speaks English. So, this was new. And he basically just this was new. And he basically just this was new. And he basically just says, "Give me three minutes."

says, "Give me three minutes." says, "Give me three minutes." He starts on this one way by just He starts on this one way by just He starts on this one way by just passing everyone on the sidewalk. passing everyone on the sidewalk. passing everyone on the sidewalk. Everyone's giving us dirty looks. He Everyone's giving us dirty looks. He Everyone's giving us dirty looks. He then reaches the intersection and then reaches the intersection and then reaches the intersection and basically implies that he's going to basically implies that he's going to basically implies that he's going to actually start driving against the cars actually start driving against the cars actually start driving against the cars on the other oneway. This is my kind of on the other oneway. This is my kind of on the other oneway. This is my kind of guy. Yeah. And Justin's loving this. I guy. Yeah. And Justin's loving this. I guy. Yeah. And Justin's loving this. I know it. And he says to Justin, you need know it. And he says to Justin, you need know it. And he says to Justin, you need to get out of the car because there's a to get out of the car because there's a to get out of the car because there's a street sign here that you need to pick street sign here that you need to pick street sign here that you need to pick up and move otherwise I cannot turn up and move otherwise I cannot turn up and move otherwise I cannot turn left. So Justin gets out of the car and left. So Justin gets out of the car and left. So Justin gets out of the car and just heaves this giant street sign in a just heaves this giant street sign in a just heaves this giant street sign in a cement block out of the way that was cement block out of the way that was cement block out of the way that was temporarily erected. Like he did not rip temporarily erected. Like he did not rip temporarily erected. Like he did not rip it on the sidewalk so that we can start it on the sidewalk so that we can start it on the sidewalk so that we can start going down the oneway. At this point the going down the oneway. At this point the going down the oneway. At this point the cars are like, "Wait a minute. What are cars are like, "Wait a minute. What are cars are like, "Wait a minute. What are you doing?" A 10-minute procession of up you doing?" A 10-minute procession of up you doing?" A 10-minute procession of up oneways, down oneways. You would get to oneways, down oneways. You would get to oneways, down oneways. You would get to a place where there were no cars, which a place where there were no cars, which a place where there were no cars, which you think is a good sign, but it just you think is a good sign, but it just you think is a good sign, but it just means that like one of these roads are means that like one of these roads are means that like one of these roads are closed. You hit a road that's closed. closed. You hit a road that's closed. closed. You hit a road that's closed. This man proceeds to go through the most This man proceeds to go through the most This man proceeds to go through the most insane a series and assortment of insane a series and assortment of insane a series and assortment of miracles and gets us out of the old town miracles and gets us out of the old town miracles and gets us out of the old town in time. We get to the airport. I gave in time. We get to the airport. I gave in time. We get to the airport. I gave him like a hundred euro tip one because him like a hundred euro tip one because him like a hundred euro tip one because I was like, man, good for you like I was like, man, good for you like I was like, man, good for you like starting a new life like but also like starting a new life like but also like starting a new life like but also like you allowed us to stay in your car and you allowed us to stay in your car and you allowed us to stay in your car and get to the airport faster and avoid get to the airport faster and avoid get to the airport faster and avoid going out into the torrential downpour going out into the torrential downpour going out into the torrential downpour once again. I tell that story for this once again. I tell that story for this once again. I tell that story for this reason. I'm in the back seat saying reason. I'm in the back seat saying reason. I'm in the back seat saying multiple times, let us out of the car.

multiple times, let us out of the car. multiple times, let us out of the car. Because I'm trying to make like a choice Because I'm trying to make like a choice Because I'm trying to make like a choice with our back up against the wall, with our back up against the wall, with our back up against the wall, right? Because like we have to get to right? Because like we have to get to right? Because like we have to get to the airport. It was night time. Like the airport. It was night time. Like the airport. It was night time. Like this is the flight to get on. And and he this is the flight to get on. And and he this is the flight to get on. And and he said, you know, a lot of people would said, you know, a lot of people would said, you know, a lot of people would let you out of this car. let you out of this car. let you out of this car. But I see a solution. And I'm I tell But I see a solution. And I'm I tell But I see a solution. And I'm I tell you, we couldn't move that sign the you, we couldn't move that sign the you, we couldn't move that sign the first couple times. I was like, what first couple times. I was like, what first couple times. I was like, what does this guy think he's doing? And he does this guy think he's doing? And he does this guy think he's doing? And he won't allow me out of this car. Like he won't allow me out of this car. Like he won't allow me out of this car. Like he won't listen because he is so intently won't listen because he is so intently won't listen because he is so intently like he had a vision in his mind. Yeah, like he had a vision in his mind. Yeah, like he had a vision in his mind. Yeah, that I did not have. Wow. So, praise God that I did not have. Wow. So, praise God that I did not have. Wow. So, praise God for him. for him. for him. Second value here is saying the quiet Second value here is saying the quiet Second value here is saying the quiet part out loud. We value speaking part out loud. We value speaking part out loud. We value speaking plainly. If you've listened to this show plainly. If you've listened to this show plainly. If you've listened to this show for any length of time, you've probably for any length of time, you've probably for any length of time, you've probably heard us talk about this value. It has heard us talk about this value. It has heard us talk about this value. It has been immensely helpful in working with been immensely helpful in working with been immensely helpful in working with other creatives. Um, especially Canadian other creatives. Um, especially Canadian other creatives. Um, especially Canadian creatives. One thing I learned about the creatives. One thing I learned about the creatives. One thing I learned about the Baltics, just suffer in silence. They Baltics, just suffer in silence. They Baltics, just suffer in silence. They speak their mind. We, not so much. Uh, speak their mind. We, not so much. Uh, speak their mind. We, not so much. Uh, one of the locals told us that if you one of the locals told us that if you one of the locals told us that if you smile at someone on the street, they'll smile at someone on the street, they'll smile at someone on the street, they'll just assume that they know you because just assume that they know you because just assume that they know you because that's the only time we smile. It's like that's the only time we smile. It's like that's the only time we smile. It's like no pleasantries. So, they will just like no pleasantries. So, they will just like no pleasantries. So, they will just like spend the next 48 hours being like, "Did spend the next 48 hours being like, "Did spend the next 48 hours being like, "Did I meet them at like my boss's like so I meet them at like my boss's like so I meet them at like my boss's like so like you think you're being friendly, like you think you're being friendly, like you think you're being friendly, but you have caused them existential but you have caused them existential but you have caused them existential crisis." When we landed in Estonia, we crisis." When we landed in Estonia, we crisis." When we landed in Estonia, we get in our Uber driver and Pastor Justin get in our Uber driver and Pastor Justin get in our Uber driver and Pastor Justin in his friendly way goes, "This is our in his friendly way goes, "This is our in his friendly way goes, "This is our first time in Estonia. The Uber driver first time in Estonia. The Uber driver first time in Estonia. The Uber driver does not skip a beat." says, "So does not skip a beat." says, "So does not skip a beat." says, "So that was like his dry humor of we were that was like his dry humor of we were that was like his dry humor of we were like, "Okay, that is not us." Say the like, "Okay, that is not us." Say the like, "Okay, that is not us." Say the quiet part out loud. Number three of our quiet part out loud. Number three of our quiet part out loud. Number three of our team specific values, yes be yes and no team specific values, yes be yes and no team specific values, yes be yes and no be no. It is important to build and then be no. It is important to build and then be no. It is important to build and then guard trust that you have within the

guard trust that you have within the guard trust that you have within the team. And this is something we see with team. And this is something we see with team. And this is something we see with creatives, especially people that are creatives, especially people that are creatives, especially people that are like true creatives. They are talented. like true creatives. They are talented. like true creatives. They are talented. They are skilled. They are disorganized. They are skilled. They are disorganized. They are skilled. They are disorganized. And what happens is you can't trust them And what happens is you can't trust them And what happens is you can't trust them to be reliable to come through because to be reliable to come through because to be reliable to come through because they're like, "Well, actually, you know, they're like, "Well, actually, you know, they're like, "Well, actually, you know, inspiration just hadn't struck or I was, inspiration just hadn't struck or I was, inspiration just hadn't struck or I was, you know, and and and that is something you know, and and and that is something you know, and and and that is something that can tear teams apart because you that can tear teams apart because you that can tear teams apart because you count on someone to come through. They count on someone to come through. They count on someone to come through. They don't come through even when they said don't come through even when they said don't come through even when they said they would." So, this is an important they would." So, this is an important they would." So, this is an important value, I think, specifically for church value, I think, specifically for church value, I think, specifically for church creative teams because there are other creative teams because there are other creative teams because there are other teams, maybe kids ministry, maybe admin, teams, maybe kids ministry, maybe admin, teams, maybe kids ministry, maybe admin, they're like, "Yeah, we're all very they're like, "Yeah, we're all very they're like, "Yeah, we're all very organized." That's almost never true. It organized." That's almost never true. It organized." That's almost never true. It might be the least true of creative might be the least true of creative might be the least true of creative teams. Yes. BS no be no any notes to add teams. Yes. BS no be no any notes to add teams. Yes. BS no be no any notes to add before we move to the ministry values. before we move to the ministry values. before we move to the ministry values. That's it. You're just going to let me That's it. You're just going to let me That's it. You're just going to let me tell stories about the Baltics. I'm tell stories about the Baltics. I'm tell stories about the Baltics. I'm going to take up all the talking time. going to take up all the talking time. going to take up all the talking time. We'll see what else comes up here. We'll see what else comes up here. We'll see what else comes up here. Ministry specific values. First Ministry specific values. First Ministry specific values. First calculated delusion. Push hard. Stop calculated delusion. Push hard. Stop calculated delusion. Push hard. Stop short of reckless. Churches don't have short of reckless. Churches don't have short of reckless. Churches don't have resources. We don't have what businesses resources. We don't have what businesses resources. We don't have what businesses have. We can look at what's available to have. We can look at what's available to have. We can look at what's available to us and say, "Wo is me. I guess we'll us and say, "Wo is me. I guess we'll us and say, "Wo is me. I guess we'll never be able to do this." Here's the never be able to do this." Here's the never be able to do this." Here's the truth I've learned about working in truth I've learned about working in truth I've learned about working in church plants and working in megaurches.

church plants and working in megaurches. church plants and working in megaurches. You never have what you want. That's You never have what you want. That's You never have what you want. That's right. Your budget is always smaller right. Your budget is always smaller right. Your budget is always smaller than an organization of the same size than an organization of the same size than an organization of the same size that's for-profit. So, you just have that's for-profit. So, you just have that's for-profit. So, you just have bigger dreams that you can't reach, bigger dreams that you can't reach, bigger dreams that you can't reach, let's say, in a mega church versus like let's say, in a mega church versus like let's say, in a mega church versus like your smaller dreams that are also out of your smaller dreams that are also out of your smaller dreams that are also out of reach at a startup church. Calculated reach at a startup church. Calculated reach at a startup church. Calculated delusion and this belief of like I don't delusion and this belief of like I don't delusion and this belief of like I don't care what you say. This is possible. care what you say. This is possible. care what you say. This is possible. We'll make a way. If you can set that We'll make a way. If you can set that We'll make a way. If you can set that standard, because that's what we're standard, because that's what we're standard, because that's what we're trying to do here. We're trying to set trying to do here. We're trying to set trying to do here. We're trying to set standards to avoid chaos. So if you can standards to avoid chaos. So if you can standards to avoid chaos. So if you can set that standard in your ministry, you set that standard in your ministry, you set that standard in your ministry, you can basically take that spirit, imbue it can basically take that spirit, imbue it can basically take that spirit, imbue it into the people that you're working into the people that you're working into the people that you're working alongside, and now everyone's working as alongside, and now everyone's working as alongside, and now everyone's working as problem solvers with like belief that problem solvers with like belief that problem solvers with like belief that irrespective of the roadblocks, whether irrespective of the roadblocks, whether irrespective of the roadblocks, whether they are actually street signs in they are actually street signs in they are actually street signs in concrete or not, we can get past them. concrete or not, we can get past them. concrete or not, we can get past them. Creative curveballs. This is the second Creative curveballs. This is the second Creative curveballs. This is the second one for ministry. Disrupting routine to one for ministry. Disrupting routine to one for ministry. Disrupting routine to prevent staleness. I believe so much in prevent staleness. I believe so much in prevent staleness. I believe so much in like no weeks off and sticking to a like no weeks off and sticking to a like no weeks off and sticking to a system but recognizing that the church system but recognizing that the church system but recognizing that the church rhythm rhythm rhythm is routine based and that's what makes is routine based and that's what makes is routine based and that's what makes church so lifegiving. Every Sunday we church so lifegiving. Every Sunday we church so lifegiving. Every Sunday we show up and we join in this shared show up and we join in this shared show up and we join in this shared purpose of worshiping God. What's the purpose of worshiping God. What's the purpose of worshiping God. What's the downside of routine? It can become downside of routine? It can become downside of routine? It can become stale. And so in the creative space stale. And so in the creative space stale. And so in the creative space introducing creative curve balls instead introducing creative curve balls instead introducing creative curve balls instead of just throwing 102 gas fast balls down of just throwing 102 gas fast balls down of just throwing 102 gas fast balls down the doesn't matter how great your fast the doesn't matter how great your fast the doesn't matter how great your fast ball is. If that's all you throw, people ball is. If that's all you throw, people ball is. If that's all you throw, people are going to start sitting on it and are going to start sitting on it and are going to start sitting on it and swinging for the fence. You have to have swinging for the fence. You have to have swinging for the fence. You have to have a curveball, an offsp speed option, a curveball, an offsp speed option, a curveball, an offsp speed option, something to prevent stailness and something to prevent stailness and something to prevent stailness and introduce disruption into your routine.

introduce disruption into your routine. introduce disruption into your routine. Let me interrupt you for a moment. We're Let me interrupt you for a moment. We're Let me interrupt you for a moment. We're about goodness. We're about halfway about goodness. We're about halfway about goodness. We're about halfway through uh these nine values here. And through uh these nine values here. And through uh these nine values here. And I'm not sure if any of the listeners I'm not sure if any of the listeners I'm not sure if any of the listeners have picked it up already, but you can have picked it up already, but you can have picked it up already, but you can you can see like the the they're very you can see like the the they're very you can see like the the they're very the way you've laid them out, they're the way you've laid them out, they're the way you've laid them out, they're very plainly said and you could you very plainly said and you could you very plainly said and you could you could copy paste these onto just about could copy paste these onto just about could copy paste these onto just about any organization, not just church, but any organization, not just church, but any organization, not just church, but any organization and they could work. any organization and they could work. any organization and they could work. But in the context of church ministry, I But in the context of church ministry, I But in the context of church ministry, I don't think it's hard to see that a lot don't think it's hard to see that a lot don't think it's hard to see that a lot of these, if not all of them, are of these, if not all of them, are of these, if not all of them, are actually rooted in the wisdom of actually rooted in the wisdom of actually rooted in the wisdom of scripture, which is is what also helps scripture, which is is what also helps scripture, which is is what also helps marry these these values to your your marry these these values to your your marry these these values to your your your more grand mission as a church. And your more grand mission as a church. And your more grand mission as a church. And like what we're trying to do here, these like what we're trying to do here, these like what we're trying to do here, these are almost all they're not explicitly. are almost all they're not explicitly. are almost all they're not explicitly. We're not attaching verse uh verses and We're not attaching verse uh verses and We're not attaching verse uh verses and and chapters to each of these, but it's and chapters to each of these, but it's and chapters to each of these, but it's not hard to see how these are all not hard to see how these are all not hard to see how these are all anchored in the value system of the the anchored in the value system of the the anchored in the value system of the the greatest story ever told that we're all greatest story ever told that we're all greatest story ever told that we're all trying to chase after here. And that's trying to chase after here. And that's trying to chase after here. And that's as a as a pastor and as a person who as a as a pastor and as a person who as a as a pastor and as a person who works in church, that's what really works in church, that's what really works in church, that's what really resonates to me here is like, oh, these resonates to me here is like, oh, these resonates to me here is like, oh, these are new values that we're suggesting you are new values that we're suggesting you are new values that we're suggesting you install, but they are all anchored in install, but they are all anchored in install, but they are all anchored in values that we already agree on. Whether values that we already agree on. Whether values that we already agree on. Whether it's, you know, letting your yes be your it's, you know, letting your yes be your it's, you know, letting your yes be your yes and your no be your no, like telling yes and your no be your no, like telling yes and your no be your no, like telling the truth. I came up with that, right?

the truth. I came up with that, right? the truth. I came up with that, right? Uh I've heard someone else say that Uh I've heard someone else say that Uh I've heard someone else say that before, but maybe it was you. Um even before, but maybe it was you. Um even before, but maybe it was you. Um even calculated delusion, that's what calculated delusion, that's what calculated delusion, that's what inspired um this thought for me is like, inspired um this thought for me is like, inspired um this thought for me is like, yeah, the story of Jesus is that like we yeah, the story of Jesus is that like we yeah, the story of Jesus is that like we literally believe in impossible things literally believe in impossible things literally believe in impossible things and that and we don't just limit and that and we don't just limit and that and we don't just limit ourselves to what we can see or what we ourselves to what we can see or what we ourselves to what we can see or what we think we can do on our own. Um so that think we can do on our own. Um so that think we can do on our own. Um so that that's a whole new layer of value to that's a whole new layer of value to that's a whole new layer of value to each of these nine here that yeah, these each of these nine here that yeah, these each of these nine here that yeah, these are rooted in eternal truths that we're are rooted in eternal truths that we're are rooted in eternal truths that we're formed by by belonging to the story of formed by by belonging to the story of formed by by belonging to the story of Jesus and to embody them through our Jesus and to embody them through our Jesus and to embody them through our work. that's just it's so cohesive um to work. that's just it's so cohesive um to work. that's just it's so cohesive um to to me and and you know um like I said if to me and and you know um like I said if to me and and you know um like I said if if you're creative and you're going to if you're creative and you're going to if you're creative and you're going to bring this to the table to your team and bring this to the table to your team and bring this to the table to your team and say hey I I want I listen to this say hey I I want I listen to this say hey I I want I listen to this podcast and I want to install these new podcast and I want to install these new podcast and I want to install these new things um they're not really new ideas things um they're not really new ideas things um they're not really new ideas in in the historical sense they're in in the historical sense they're in in the historical sense they're they're they're old ideas they're tried they're they're old ideas they're tried they're they're old ideas they're tried and true ideas um maybe just new for and true ideas um maybe just new for and true ideas um maybe just new for your church and I have condensed the your church and I have condensed the your church and I have condensed the description of each of these values for description of each of these values for description of each of these values for this show but in the full versions they this show but in the full versions they this show but in the full versions they are all anchored to a specific scripture are all anchored to a specific scripture are all anchored to a specific scripture passage. That's true. That's true. All passage. That's true. That's true. All passage. That's true. That's true. All right. Uh final of the three ministry right. Uh final of the three ministry right. Uh final of the three ministry specific values, protect what is sacred.

specific values, protect what is sacred. specific values, protect what is sacred. This means cultivating your god-given This means cultivating your god-given This means cultivating your god-given gifts. It also means upholding the gifts. It also means upholding the gifts. It also means upholding the church's purpose, mission, vision, and church's purpose, mission, vision, and church's purpose, mission, vision, and values. Protect what is sacred. It's values. Protect what is sacred. It's values. Protect what is sacred. It's easy in ministry to have infighting easy in ministry to have infighting easy in ministry to have infighting because you're working closely with because you're working closely with because you're working closely with others, and interpersonal conflict others, and interpersonal conflict others, and interpersonal conflict inevitably arises. This value of inevitably arises. This value of inevitably arises. This value of protecting what's sacred holds everyone protecting what's sacred holds everyone protecting what's sacred holds everyone accountable for not allowing the accountable for not allowing the accountable for not allowing the bickering between Alex and I to bickering between Alex and I to bickering between Alex and I to negatively impact the church as a whole negatively impact the church as a whole negatively impact the church as a whole or what God put into Alex's heart and or what God put into Alex's heart and or what God put into Alex's heart and into my heart. This is important when into my heart. This is important when into my heart. This is important when you pair your passion with you pair your passion with you pair your passion with like consistent output. Yeah. It's like like consistent output. Yeah. It's like like consistent output. Yeah. It's like I had such a bright I had such a bright I had such a bright burning passion for photography in burning passion for photography in burning passion for photography in church and now I am burnt out and it is church and now I am burnt out and it is church and now I am burnt out and it is dead. So like understanding that we all dead. So like understanding that we all dead. So like understanding that we all have a responsibility to protect our have a responsibility to protect our have a responsibility to protect our God-given gifts in ourselves but also to God-given gifts in ourselves but also to God-given gifts in ourselves but also to protect what's sacred in others. Mhm. protect what's sacred in others. Mhm. protect what's sacred in others. Mhm. All right, let's get to project All right, let's get to project All right, let's get to project specific. Okay, first the delight is in specific. Okay, first the delight is in specific. Okay, first the delight is in the details. This is of course a remix the details. This is of course a remix the details. This is of course a remix on the devil is in the details. My on the devil is in the details. My on the devil is in the details. My belief is that it's sometimes the belief is that it's sometimes the belief is that it's sometimes the smallest thing, the kerning of a font, smallest thing, the kerning of a font, smallest thing, the kerning of a font, the amount of negative space. There have the amount of negative space. There have the amount of negative space. There have been 175 times where I have sat or stood been 175 times where I have sat or stood been 175 times where I have sat or stood almost always over someone's shoulder in almost always over someone's shoulder in almost always over someone's shoulder in this office and I've said this is this this office and I've said this is this this office and I've said this is this is wrong. And what we have done is is wrong. And what we have done is is wrong. And what we have done is interrogate whatever we're looking at interrogate whatever we're looking at interrogate whatever we're looking at and realize it was this small tweak, and realize it was this small tweak, and realize it was this small tweak, this tiny little adjustment. The delight

this tiny little adjustment. The delight this tiny little adjustment. The delight is in the details that brought the whole is in the details that brought the whole is in the details that brought the whole project together. That's right. project together. That's right. project together. That's right. Celebrating craftsmanship. I think is Celebrating craftsmanship. I think is Celebrating craftsmanship. I think is worth doing. And that's what we mean worth doing. And that's what we mean worth doing. And that's what we mean when we say the delight is in the when we say the delight is in the when we say the delight is in the details. You go and you see someone at details. You go and you see someone at details. You go and you see someone at the top of their game and you can just the top of their game and you can just the top of their game and you can just look at like, oh, if it's like a piece look at like, oh, if it's like a piece look at like, oh, if it's like a piece of clothing, like the fabric choices and of clothing, like the fabric choices and of clothing, like the fabric choices and the way things are woven together or if the way things are woven together or if the way things are woven together or if you sit down at a great meal, you can you sit down at a great meal, you can you sit down at a great meal, you can realize like the effort that was put realize like the effort that was put realize like the effort that was put into like the width of the tomato as it into like the width of the tomato as it into like the width of the tomato as it was sliced and taking the tomato off the was sliced and taking the tomato off the was sliced and taking the tomato off the vine at a spit. Like you could have just vine at a spit. Like you could have just vine at a spit. Like you could have just taken the tomato anytime. You just got, taken the tomato anytime. You just got, taken the tomato anytime. You just got, oh, I just cut it. It was, you know, it oh, I just cut it. It was, you know, it oh, I just cut it. It was, you know, it was it was 3/4 instead of half an inch. was it was 3/4 instead of half an inch. was it was 3/4 instead of half an inch. No, no, it needs to be half all of these No, no, it needs to be half all of these No, no, it needs to be half all of these little things. The delight is in the little things. The delight is in the little things. The delight is in the details. Don't let them be viewed as a details. Don't let them be viewed as a details. Don't let them be viewed as a negative thing because what will happen negative thing because what will happen negative thing because what will happen is when you harp on these little tiny is when you harp on these little tiny is when you harp on these little tiny things, you can get the reputation. things, you can get the reputation. things, you can get the reputation. Maybe I'm speaking, you know, firsthand Maybe I'm speaking, you know, firsthand Maybe I'm speaking, you know, firsthand from this. It's like, oh, like nothing's from this. It's like, oh, like nothing's from this. It's like, oh, like nothing's ever good enough. It's always like this ever good enough. It's always like this ever good enough. It's always like this tiny little thing he's obsessing. No, tiny little thing he's obsessing. No, tiny little thing he's obsessing. No, no. That's the whole point. The delight no. That's the whole point. The delight no. That's the whole point. The delight is in the details. something comes is in the details. something comes is in the details. something comes together because extra attention and together because extra attention and together because extra attention and effort was paid to the small things that effort was paid to the small things that effort was paid to the small things that other people overlooked. Second, savor other people overlooked. Second, savor other people overlooked. Second, savor the small. Any task, same effort. Savor the small. Any task, same effort. Savor the small. Any task, same effort. Savor the small. It doesn't matter what you've the small. It doesn't matter what you've the small. It doesn't matter what you've been put in charge of right now. It been put in charge of right now. It been put in charge of right now. It doesn't matter what you have to do right doesn't matter what you have to do right doesn't matter what you have to do right now. Here's a spoiler. At the top, I run now. Here's a spoiler. At the top, I run now. Here's a spoiler. At the top, I run an organization. I lead dozens people an organization. I lead dozens people an organization. I lead dozens people below me. Guess what? Most of the time I below me. Guess what? Most of the time I below me. Guess what? Most of the time I do things that suck. Now, when it was do things that suck. Now, when it was do things that suck. Now, when it was just me, I did things that sucked. But I just me, I did things that sucked. But I just me, I did things that sucked. But I also got to do a lot of fun stuff. Now also got to do a lot of fun stuff. Now also got to do a lot of fun stuff. Now it's like, "Ah, this tax form needs to it's like, "Ah, this tax form needs to it's like, "Ah, this tax form needs to be filled out. Ah, this budget needs to be filled out. Ah, this budget needs to be filled out. Ah, this budget needs to be balanced. Oh, spending has kind of

be balanced. Oh, spending has kind of be balanced. Oh, spending has kind of creeped up in ways that were not creeped up in ways that were not creeped up in ways that were not originally planned for over here. Oh, originally planned for over here. Oh, originally planned for over here. Oh, this person is having a problem with this person is having a problem with this person is having a problem with this person." Savor the this person." Savor the this person." Savor the small task, same effort. All right, small task, same effort. All right, small task, same effort. All right, let's bring it home. Make it great and let's bring it home. Make it great and let's bring it home. Make it great and make it us. This is the personified, make it us. This is the personified, make it us. This is the personified, personalized version of excellence and personalized version of excellence and personalized version of excellence and authenticity. You want something to be authenticity. You want something to be authenticity. You want something to be done with excellence. I want to make it done with excellence. I want to make it done with excellence. I want to make it great, but I also need to make it us. great, but I also need to make it us. great, but I also need to make it us. And this is like the final boss, I would And this is like the final boss, I would And this is like the final boss, I would say, of church creativity. Because when say, of church creativity. Because when say, of church creativity. Because when we copy others and what they're doing, a we copy others and what they're doing, a we copy others and what they're doing, a lot of the times we can create our own lot of the times we can create our own lot of the times we can create our own version, a carbon copy that is just as version, a carbon copy that is just as version, a carbon copy that is just as exceptional in terms of craft, but it exceptional in terms of craft, but it exceptional in terms of craft, but it may be so foreign to our church's may be so foreign to our church's may be so foreign to our church's culture and identity. And so whenever culture and identity. And so whenever culture and identity. And so whenever we're evaluating a creative project or we're evaluating a creative project or we're evaluating a creative project or what we're doing, we have to say if what we're doing, we have to say if what we're doing, we have to say if we're going to do it, we're going to we're going to do it, we're going to we're going to do it, we're going to make it great. But we have to make it make it great. But we have to make it make it great. But we have to make it us. And if it's not us, we're just not us. And if it's not us, we're just not us. And if it's not us, we're just not going to do it. I talked about this in going to do it. I talked about this in going to do it. I talked about this in Estonia in the context of fashion Estonia in the context of fashion Estonia in the context of fashion because people were asking like, is it because people were asking like, is it because people were asking like, is it okay to copy church trends? That was one okay to copy church trends? That was one okay to copy church trends? That was one of the questions. I said, it's of the questions. I said, it's of the questions. I said, it's absolutely okay to copy church trends so absolutely okay to copy church trends so absolutely okay to copy church trends so long as it aligns and intersects with long as it aligns and intersects with long as it aligns and intersects with your church's mission and identity. It's your church's mission and identity. It's your church's mission and identity. It's like we all wear denim. every one of us, like we all wear denim. every one of us, like we all wear denim. every one of us, every generation, young and old, but you every generation, young and old, but you every generation, young and old, but you can tell by the cut and the shape and can tell by the cut and the shape and can tell by the cut and the shape and the color and the wash of denim usually the color and the wash of denim usually the color and the wash of denim usually what age group a person is from. And if what age group a person is from. And if what age group a person is from. And if you of a certain age group wear a you of a certain age group wear a you of a certain age group wear a certain type of denim, it can look very certain type of denim, it can look very certain type of denim, it can look very strange. Isn't that curious? Why?

strange. Isn't that curious? Why? strange. Isn't that curious? Why? Because it's not you and it doesn't feel Because it's not you and it doesn't feel Because it's not you and it doesn't feel like you. Make it great. Make it us. Any like you. Make it great. Make it us. Any like you. Make it great. Make it us. Any thoughts on our nine values? Yeah. So, thoughts on our nine values? Yeah. So, thoughts on our nine values? Yeah. So, for a brief moment, will you speak to for a brief moment, will you speak to for a brief moment, will you speak to the person, the the creative ministry the person, the the creative ministry the person, the the creative ministry leader or creative ministry member who's leader or creative ministry member who's leader or creative ministry member who's listening to the show, and they're listening to the show, and they're listening to the show, and they're listening, they're like, "Okay, yeah, listening, they're like, "Okay, yeah, listening, they're like, "Okay, yeah, Brad, like, I'm on board all the way. I Brad, like, I'm on board all the way. I Brad, like, I'm on board all the way. I want to bring this to my team. How does want to bring this to my team. How does want to bring this to my team. How does that person most effectively bring this that person most effectively bring this that person most effectively bring this idea to their team to ensure that idea to their team to ensure that idea to their team to ensure that everyone is on board with all of these everyone is on board with all of these everyone is on board with all of these ideas?" Because it's one thing to bring ideas?" Because it's one thing to bring ideas?" Because it's one thing to bring this to your team and say, "Hey, I got this to your team and say, "Hey, I got this to your team and say, "Hey, I got these new nine uh policy values. We're these new nine uh policy values. We're these new nine uh policy values. We're going to install them. And you can going to install them. And you can going to install them. And you can install them by by doing whatever, install them by by doing whatever, install them by by doing whatever, putting them in your putting them up on putting them in your putting them up on putting them in your putting them up on the wall behind the soundboard or the wall behind the soundboard or the wall behind the soundboard or sharing them in a Google doc. And you sharing them in a Google doc. And you sharing them in a Google doc. And you could consider them installed, but if could consider them installed, but if could consider them installed, but if everyone isn't on board, it's not going everyone isn't on board, it's not going everyone isn't on board, it's not going to serve anyone very well. So for to serve anyone very well. So for to serve anyone very well. So for someone who's like, "Yes, I want to do someone who's like, "Yes, I want to do someone who's like, "Yes, I want to do this." What is the most effective next this." What is the most effective next this." What is the most effective next step for them to take in bringing this step for them to take in bringing this step for them to take in bringing this idea to a team of whether it's a team of idea to a team of whether it's a team of idea to a team of whether it's a team of two or a team of 20? First thing to do two or a team of 20? First thing to do two or a team of 20? First thing to do is to understand time and place for when is to understand time and place for when is to understand time and place for when to introduce these. If you are in the to introduce these. If you are in the to introduce these. If you are in the midst of a power struggle, if you are in midst of a power struggle, if you are in midst of a power struggle, if you are in the midst of coming off the heels of a the midst of coming off the heels of a the midst of coming off the heels of a particularly tensionfilled season or particularly tensionfilled season or particularly tensionfilled season or project, wait. It's like with parenting, project, wait. It's like with parenting, project, wait. It's like with parenting, okay? I have a response and a reaction I okay? I have a response and a reaction I okay? I have a response and a reaction I want to make right now. I am not going want to make right now. I am not going want to make right now. I am not going to sit down with my child and talk about to sit down with my child and talk about to sit down with my child and talk about their issue until both of us have clear their issue until both of us have clear their issue until both of us have clear heads and we've settled down and now we heads and we've settled down and now we heads and we've settled down and now we can approach it in a sober mind. Same is can approach it in a sober mind. Same is can approach it in a sober mind. Same is true for here. So, wait for a time when true for here. So, wait for a time when true for here. So, wait for a time when everyone is soberminded and things are everyone is soberminded and things are everyone is soberminded and things are not kind of ratcheted up really high. If

not kind of ratcheted up really high. If not kind of ratcheted up really high. If you're not in that place right yet, you you're not in that place right yet, you you're not in that place right yet, you don't have to just wait. Remember, don't have to just wait. Remember, don't have to just wait. Remember, emergency mode, basic mode. The second emergency mode, basic mode. The second emergency mode, basic mode. The second thing is these are all written in ways thing is these are all written in ways thing is these are all written in ways that like nobody's going to look at that like nobody's going to look at that like nobody's going to look at these and be frustrated by them. The these and be frustrated by them. The these and be frustrated by them. The whole point of a value is not to make a whole point of a value is not to make a whole point of a value is not to make a controversial stance, right? And then controversial stance, right? And then controversial stance, right? And then here's the third part. These are problem here's the third part. These are problem here's the third part. These are problem solvers, but you, the leader, are held solvers, but you, the leader, are held solvers, but you, the leader, are held accountable to them just as much, if not accountable to them just as much, if not accountable to them just as much, if not more so, than everybody else. And so the more so, than everybody else. And so the more so, than everybody else. And so the warning I'll issue is that values are warning I'll issue is that values are warning I'll issue is that values are great on day one where they're great on day one where they're great on day one where they're installed. They're really frustrating on installed. They're really frustrating on installed. They're really frustrating on day 45 when you have to say the quiet day 45 when you have to say the quiet day 45 when you have to say the quiet part out loud to the person that you part out loud to the person that you part out loud to the person that you don't want to or you have to have your don't want to or you have to have your don't want to or you have to have your yes be yes and realize that just because yes be yes and realize that just because yes be yes and realize that just because I'm the leader doesn't mean I get to I'm the leader doesn't mean I get to I'm the leader doesn't mean I get to live by different rules. The rules only live by different rules. The rules only live by different rules. The rules only work when everyone's held accountable by work when everyone's held accountable by work when everyone's held accountable by the mission and vision and values. So the mission and vision and values. So the mission and vision and values. So yes, this is a silver bullet in many yes, this is a silver bullet in many yes, this is a silver bullet in many ways, but like you have to live up to ways, but like you have to live up to ways, but like you have to live up to the values yourself, which is the part the values yourself, which is the part the values yourself, which is the part that can be tricky and irritating. Yeah, that can be tricky and irritating. Yeah, that can be tricky and irritating. Yeah, that's right. One more little quick that's right. One more little quick that's right. One more little quick story from the Baltics on the delight is story from the Baltics on the delight is story from the Baltics on the delight is in the details. And I saved this for in the details. And I saved this for in the details. And I saved this for last because doesn't have anything to do last because doesn't have anything to do last because doesn't have anything to do with anything on this episode, but it is with anything on this episode, but it is with anything on this episode, but it is a fascinating story nonetheless. So, we a fascinating story nonetheless. So, we a fascinating story nonetheless. So, we arrive in Vius. It's our second of three arrive in Vius. It's our second of three arrive in Vius. It's our second of three Baltic capitals. We went to Ria Latvia Baltic capitals. We went to Ria Latvia Baltic capitals. We went to Ria Latvia first. We went to Vius second. We went first. We went to Vius second. We went first. We went to Vius second. We went to Talon third. And I had a great time to Talon third. And I had a great time to Talon third. And I had a great time in the Baltics. We had beautiful in the Baltics. We had beautiful in the Baltics. We had beautiful weather. When you're only in a city for weather. When you're only in a city for weather. When you're only in a city for like 48 hours, weather really does make like 48 hours, weather really does make like 48 hours, weather really does make a difference because it'll have a a difference because it'll have a a difference because it'll have a lasting impression in your mind of like, lasting impression in your mind of like, lasting impression in your mind of like, oh yeah, it rained when we were there.

oh yeah, it rained when we were there. oh yeah, it rained when we were there. That place sucks. That's not really That place sucks. That's not really That place sucks. That's not really fair. We had great weather. These places fair. We had great weather. These places fair. We had great weather. These places are so clean. There's not many tourists are so clean. There's not many tourists are so clean. There's not many tourists there, so they're like roomy. The food there, so they're like roomy. The food there, so they're like roomy. The food is great and the old town, all of the is great and the old town, all of the is great and the old town, all of the medieval buildings are just so medieval buildings are just so medieval buildings are just so wonderful. And the atmosphere you're in wonderful. And the atmosphere you're in wonderful. And the atmosphere you're in is great. Yeah. So, we arrive in is great. Yeah. So, we arrive in is great. Yeah. So, we arrive in Lithuania and we're a little bit late. Lithuania and we're a little bit late. Lithuania and we're a little bit late. We drove from Latvia to Lithuania. It We drove from Latvia to Lithuania. It We drove from Latvia to Lithuania. It was like four hours. And so I start was like four hours. And so I start was like four hours. And so I start working on some footage right away. We working on some footage right away. We working on some footage right away. We have about two hours till dinner. And I have about two hours till dinner. And I have about two hours till dinner. And I send Pastor Justin to go and do the send Pastor Justin to go and do the send Pastor Justin to go and do the droning. So he's going to go drone and droning. So he's going to go drone and droning. So he's going to go drone and I'm going to work on the footage. We'll I'm going to work on the footage. We'll I'm going to work on the footage. We'll finish at the same time. We'll go to finish at the same time. We'll go to finish at the same time. We'll go to dinner. And so I wanted to film the dinner. And so I wanted to film the dinner. And so I wanted to film the Villius Cathedral, which was kind of Villius Cathedral, which was kind of Villius Cathedral, which was kind of their big Roman architecture, Greek their big Roman architecture, Greek their big Roman architecture, Greek architecture, uh, cathedral, which is architecture, uh, cathedral, which is architecture, uh, cathedral, which is really cool. We get there and like a really cool. We get there and like a really cool. We get there and like a couple buildings, it's all papered off. couple buildings, it's all papered off. couple buildings, it's all papered off. They're doing refurbishments. The locals They're doing refurbishments. The locals They're doing refurbishments. The locals would say to us later, "Why are we doing would say to us later, "Why are we doing would say to us later, "Why are we doing these refurbishments? The three months these refurbishments? The three months these refurbishments? The three months where everybody comes to see us, right?" where everybody comes to see us, right?" where everybody comes to see us, right?" Anyway, so I realized, okay, we can't Anyway, so I realized, okay, we can't Anyway, so I realized, okay, we can't film this. So Justin's like, "It's all film this. So Justin's like, "It's all film this. So Justin's like, "It's all right. I'll take the drone. I'll find right. I'll take the drone. I'll find right. I'll take the drone. I'll find another church area to film and I'll another church area to film and I'll another church area to film and I'll I'll get back to you." I'm going to read I'll get back to you." I'm going to read I'll get back to you." I'm going to read the text that I got from Pastor the text that I got from Pastor the text that I got from Pastor Justin shortly after. Actually, not so Justin shortly after. Actually, not so Justin shortly after. Actually, not so shortly after. It had been a little shortly after. It had been a little shortly after. It had been a little while. He had been filming and he sends while. He had been filming and he sends while. He had been filming and he sends me the following text.

I might be in trouble. Lady is making me I might be in trouble. Lady is making me wait. Hope it's fine. I was just wait. Hope it's fine. I was just wait. Hope it's fine. I was just finishing up. Droning. I was just finishing up. Droning. I was just finishing up. Droning. I was just finishing up. It's concerning. Wait. finishing up. It's concerning. Wait. finishing up. It's concerning. Wait. Wait. In what way? Palace. They are Wait. In what way? Palace. They are Wait. In what way? Palace. They are sending military police to me. Maybe. I sending military police to me. Maybe. I sending military police to me. Maybe. I say share your location with say share your location with say share your location with [Laughter] [Laughter] [Laughter] me. Here's what happened. me. Here's what happened. me. Here's what happened. Pastor Justin was temporarily detained Pastor Justin was temporarily detained Pastor Justin was temporarily detained by the Lithuanian military by the Lithuanian military by the Lithuanian military police. Why, you might ask? Where are we police. Why, you might ask? Where are we police. Why, you might ask? Where are we droning illegally and or recklessly? No. droning illegally and or recklessly? No. droning illegally and or recklessly? No. License, insurance, License, insurance, License, insurance, uh, height, everything was above board. uh, height, everything was above board. uh, height, everything was above board. When I prep a drone trip, I always check When I prep a drone trip, I always check When I prep a drone trip, I always check a trio of maps to see where is filming a trio of maps to see where is filming a trio of maps to see where is filming allowed. DJI has a pretty good standard allowed. DJI has a pretty good standard allowed. DJI has a pretty good standard these days because they've worked with these days because they've worked with these days because they've worked with all the government agencies. If you're all the government agencies. If you're all the government agencies. If you're not allowed to fly, they won't let you. not allowed to fly, they won't let you. not allowed to fly, they won't let you. Like, you're just not going to take off Like, you're just not going to take off Like, you're just not going to take off this drone. Taking off. It's fine. What this drone. Taking off. It's fine. What this drone. Taking off. It's fine. What we found out was that the presidential we found out was that the presidential we found out was that the presidential palace was unmarked on all of these palace was unmarked on all of these palace was unmarked on all of these drone maps. As we were shown, if I had drone maps. As we were shown, if I had drone maps. As we were shown, if I had tracked down the local Lithuanian drone tracked down the local Lithuanian drone tracked down the local Lithuanian drone map, you could see that the presidential map, you could see that the presidential map, you could see that the presidential palace was marked as a no-fly zone. What palace was marked as a no-fly zone. What palace was marked as a no-fly zone. What was also true is that unlike in most was also true is that unlike in most was also true is that unlike in most countries we visit, they didn't have countries we visit, they didn't have countries we visit, they didn't have those signs that are just like a picture those signs that are just like a picture those signs that are just like a picture of a drone with an X through it. There of a drone with an X through it. There of a drone with an X through it. There was nothing like that.

was nothing like that. was nothing like that. So Justin was held inside of the So Justin was held inside of the So Justin was held inside of the presidential palace for several hours. presidential palace for several hours. presidential palace for several hours. Uh we missed Uh we missed Uh we missed our dinner reservations. our dinner reservations. our dinner reservations. At a certain point, he just starts At a certain point, he just starts At a certain point, he just starts texting me like, "Okay, they're taking texting me like, "Okay, they're taking texting me like, "Okay, they're taking my passport. I only have a phone. Text my passport. I only have a phone. Text my passport. I only have a phone. Text you don't want to get." So I'm like, you don't want to get." So I'm like, you don't want to get." So I'm like, "Okay." I start I walk down and I'm just "Okay." I start I walk down and I'm just "Okay." I start I walk down and I'm just like chilling outside the palace. People like chilling outside the palace. People like chilling outside the palace. People are on the grass front of the palace. are on the grass front of the palace. are on the grass front of the palace. Everyone's having like, you know, their Everyone's having like, you know, their Everyone's having like, you know, their picnics and their dinners. Everyone's picnics and their dinners. Everyone's picnics and their dinners. Everyone's having a great time. The sun is shining. having a great time. The sun is shining. having a great time. The sun is shining. Fly over the palace. As I start like Fly over the palace. As I start like Fly over the palace. As I start like walking up, Justin with two heavily walking up, Justin with two heavily walking up, Justin with two heavily armored guards comes out and they start armored guards comes out and they start armored guards comes out and they start like talking at this like military like talking at this like military like talking at this like military truck. They don't know who I am, right? truck. They don't know who I am, right? truck. They don't know who I am, right? So, I'm just standing there with my Fuji So, I'm just standing there with my Fuji So, I'm just standing there with my Fuji like, "Oh, wow. Love this picture." Like like, "Oh, wow. Love this picture." Like like, "Oh, wow. Love this picture." Like listening, ease dropping into their listening, ease dropping into their listening, ease dropping into their conversation. conversation. conversation. What eventually happened was they said, What eventually happened was they said, What eventually happened was they said, "We're just going to take your drone and "We're just going to take your drone and "We're just going to take your drone and we're going to investigate it for 3 to 6 we're going to investigate it for 3 to 6 we're going to investigate it for 3 to 6 months and you live here now and you can months and you live here now and you can months and you live here now and you can go." Cuz I was like, "Okay, they're just go." Cuz I was like, "Okay, they're just go." Cuz I was like, "Okay, they're just going to say like don't do this again.

going to say like don't do this again. going to say like don't do this again. Maybe there's a fine." I was like, Maybe there's a fine." I was like, Maybe there's a fine." I was like, "Fine, like it's all going to be fine." "Fine, like it's all going to be fine." "Fine, like it's all going to be fine." You know, I've gone on enough trips like You know, I've gone on enough trips like You know, I've gone on enough trips like this, like I feel like 5 years ago, I this, like I feel like 5 years ago, I this, like I feel like 5 years ago, I would have been like having a panic would have been like having a panic would have been like having a panic attack. And I was just sitting there and attack. And I was just sitting there and attack. And I was just sitting there and I was like, "This is going to be a good I was like, "This is going to be a good I was like, "This is going to be a good story." Yeah. And so what Pastor Justin story." Yeah. And so what Pastor Justin story." Yeah. And so what Pastor Justin in his non-Lithuanian speaking ability in his non-Lithuanian speaking ability in his non-Lithuanian speaking ability managed to do was negotiate. We keep the managed to do was negotiate. We keep the managed to do was negotiate. We keep the drone and you take the micro SD. Okay. drone and you take the micro SD. Okay. drone and you take the micro SD. Okay. So they got the footage. Their military So they got the footage. Their military So they got the footage. Their military secrets are safe. We got the pastor. We secrets are safe. We got the pastor. We secrets are safe. We got the pastor. We got the drone. And they said to us, got the drone. And they said to us, got the drone. And they said to us, they're like, "Yeah, you can fly here. they're like, "Yeah, you can fly here. they're like, "Yeah, you can fly here. You just can't fly over the palace." I You just can't fly over the palace." I You just can't fly over the palace." I was like, "Okay, fine." was like, "Okay, fine." was like, "Okay, fine." An hour An hour An hour later, the courtyard to the presidential later, the courtyard to the presidential later, the courtyard to the presidential palace was open for the public. We went palace was open for the public. We went palace was open for the public. We went inside and from the ground, we're taking inside and from the ground, we're taking inside and from the ground, we're taking photos. I'm going to describe the photos. I'm going to describe the photos. I'm going to describe the presidential palace to you. Now, it's presidential palace to you. Now, it's presidential palace to you. Now, it's not so much a single building as it is a not so much a single building as it is a not so much a single building as it is a perimeter. The building is in a square, perimeter. The building is in a square, perimeter. The building is in a square, like a perimeter. 90% of the real estate like a perimeter. 90% of the real estate like a perimeter. 90% of the real estate is an courtyard in the middle, right? is an courtyard in the middle, right? is an courtyard in the middle, right? Which they then let us into to take Which they then let us into to take Which they then let us into to take photos. What's on the roof? What's on photos. What's on the roof? What's on photos. What's on the roof? What's on the roof of this tiny little perimeter? the roof of this tiny little perimeter? the roof of this tiny little perimeter? Those are the secrets that Justin has in Those are the secrets that Justin has in Those are the secrets that Justin has in his mind's eye, but they're only Look, his mind's eye, but they're only Look, his mind's eye, but they're only Look, again, I'm empathetic. You're very close again, I'm empathetic. You're very close again, I'm empathetic. You're very close to a foreign power that has not been so to a foreign power that has not been so to a foreign power that has not been so nice to you and is in the middle. Yeah, nice to you and is in the middle. Yeah, nice to you and is in the middle. Yeah, there's some tension. I I get it. I get there's some tension. I I get it. I get there's some tension. I I get it. I get it. And the Lithuanian people were all it. And the Lithuanian people were all it. And the Lithuanian people were all in all very kind. And of all the food we in all very kind. And of all the food we in all very kind. And of all the food we ate, Lithuanian food ate, Lithuanian food ate, Lithuanian food probably was the standout. Okay. What's probably was the standout. Okay. What's probably was the standout. Okay. What's on the menu? Okay. So, Menite background on the menu? Okay. So, Menite background on the menu? Okay. So, Menite background for me. Mhm. That means that my for me. Mhm. That means that my for me. Mhm. That means that my ancestors came from like modernday ancestors came from like modernday ancestors came from like modernday Ukraine. Yeah. So, like not exactly the Ukraine. Yeah. So, like not exactly the Ukraine. Yeah. So, like not exactly the Baltics, but like pretty close. Close Baltics, but like pretty close. Close Baltics, but like pretty close. Close enough. Closer than me. Right. Right.

enough. Closer than me. Right. Right. enough. Closer than me. Right. Right. So, their famous soup is called Cold So, their famous soup is called Cold So, their famous soup is called Cold Beetroot Soup. Love it. So, it is Beetroot Soup. Love it. So, it is Beetroot Soup. Love it. So, it is obviously a cold soup. It's going to be obviously a cold soup. It's going to be obviously a cold soup. It's going to be beets blended with uh kefir with there's beets blended with uh kefir with there's beets blended with uh kefir with there's like a single egg in there. They'll take like a single egg in there. They'll take like a single egg in there. They'll take um cucumbers and like shred them into um cucumbers and like shred them into um cucumbers and like shred them into strands. And this is all served in like strands. And this is all served in like strands. And this is all served in like this brilliant magenta dish with this brilliant magenta dish with this brilliant magenta dish with potatoes on the side. potatoes on the side. potatoes on the side. Unreal. They then have um like garlic Unreal. They then have um like garlic Unreal. They then have um like garlic fry bread that you dip in a cheese fry bread that you dip in a cheese fry bread that you dip in a cheese sauce. Outstanding. No one's mad about sauce. Outstanding. No one's mad about sauce. Outstanding. No one's mad about that. And then the standout, I want you that. And then the standout, I want you that. And then the standout, I want you to think of perogis. I think the to think of perogis. I think the to think of perogis. I think the Lithuanians have a better alternative to Lithuanians have a better alternative to Lithuanians have a better alternative to perogis. They basically take an entire perogis. They basically take an entire perogis. They basically take an entire potato, potato, potato, stuff it with meat somehow, and then stuff it with meat somehow, and then stuff it with meat somehow, and then serve it to you alongside a bunch of serve it to you alongside a bunch of serve it to you alongside a bunch of bacon and sour cream. The texture of the bacon and sour cream. The texture of the bacon and sour cream. The texture of the potato is almost like spongy. We've all potato is almost like spongy. We've all potato is almost like spongy. We've all had potatoes in a 100 different ways. had potatoes in a 100 different ways. had potatoes in a 100 different ways. I've never had a potato served like I've never had a potato served like I've never had a potato served like this. I wonder if it's the variety. I this. I wonder if it's the variety. I this. I wonder if it's the variety. I also don't know how they stuffed the also don't know how they stuffed the also don't know how they stuffed the meat in it because like it comes as a meat in it because like it comes as a meat in it because like it comes as a whole potato. Yeah. And you cut in. It's whole potato. Yeah. And you cut in. It's whole potato. Yeah. And you cut in. It's like beef Wellington but potato on the like beef Wellington but potato on the like beef Wellington but potato on the outside with beef. And it's it's beef on outside with beef. And it's it's beef on outside with beef. And it's it's beef on the inside. Yeah. Or actually it's the inside. Yeah. Or actually it's the inside. Yeah. Or actually it's almost it's probably pork actually now almost it's probably pork actually now almost it's probably pork actually now that I say that. So yeah, great food that I say that. So yeah, great food that I say that. So yeah, great food there. We survived. We got a lot of there. We survived. We got a lot of there. We survived. We got a lot of great footage. We arrived back. We great footage. We arrived back. We great footage. We arrived back. We learned a lot. We turned it into a learned a lot. We turned it into a learned a lot. We turned it into a podcast. We'll be back next Wednesday, podcast. We'll be back next Wednesday, podcast. We'll be back next Wednesday, of course. Thank you for your time, of course. Thank you for your time, of course. Thank you for your time, attention, and trust. We'll talk to you attention, and trust. We'll talk to you attention, and trust. We'll talk to you then. How do we feel about Ferrari's then. How do we feel about Ferrari's then. How do we feel about Ferrari's performance this weekend? Even watching performance this weekend? Even watching performance this weekend? Even watching qualifying was just like that was qualifying was just like that was qualifying was just like that was amazing. Like we didn't watch the race amazing. Like we didn't watch the race amazing. Like we didn't watch the race cuz we're at church. Yeah. Also, who

cuz we're at church. Yeah. Also, who cuz we're at church. Yeah. Also, who cares? Like the qualifying was like so cares? Like the qualifying was like so cares? Like the qualifying was like so much fun. We were on the plane and um I much fun. We were on the plane and um I much fun. We were on the plane and um I was like begging for it not to take off was like begging for it not to take off was like begging for it not to take off because we were leaving from Poland. So, because we were leaving from Poland. So, because we were leaving from Poland. So, it was 10 hours with no Wi-Fi. The Clair it was 10 hours with no Wi-Fi. The Clair it was 10 hours with no Wi-Fi. The Clair goes fastest. I like because there's goes fastest. I like because there's goes fastest. I like because there's like two seconds left. I lean over. I'm like two seconds left. I lean over. I'm like two seconds left. I lean over. I'm like, "Yes." And then Lando crosses like, "Yes." And then Lando crosses like, "Yes." And then Lando crosses fastest. And I was like just like fastest. And I was like just like fastest. And I was like just like devastating such a track