Darin Poli on Networking with Other Leaders to Accelerate Your Ministry

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the unset Maneri everybody welcome to the unset Maneri podcast my name is rich the host around podcast my name is rich the host around podcast my name is rich the host around these parts thank you so much for taking these parts thank you so much for taking these parts thank you so much for taking time out listen we know that you're time out listen we know that you're time out listen we know that you're really busy this week at your church really busy this week at your church really busy this week at your church you've got a lot going on and I'm going you've got a lot going on and I'm going you've got a lot going on and I'm going to cite thankful that you would take to cite thankful that you would take to cite thankful that you would take some time to plug this in your ear buds some time to plug this in your ear buds some time to plug this in your ear buds as we say and just really jump into a as we say and just really jump into a as we say and just really jump into a conversation today I'm privileged to conversation today I'm privileged to conversation today I'm privileged to have Darren Poli from River Valley have Darren Poli from River Valley have Darren Poli from River Valley Church so this is a great Church if you Church so this is a great Church if you Church so this is a great Church if you haven't heard of it I know I keep saying haven't heard of it I know I keep saying haven't heard of it I know I keep saying this but I given heard of River Valley this but I given heard of River Valley this but I given heard of River Valley you really should there an incredible you really should there an incredible you really should there an incredible church there 20 years old actually this church there 20 years old actually this church there 20 years old actually this is your 20th anniversary this year isn't is your 20th anniversary this year isn't is your 20th anniversary this year isn't it yes September that's incredible so it yes September that's incredible so it yes September that's incredible so there I am from Minnesota's Twin Cities there I am from Minnesota's Twin Cities there I am from Minnesota's Twin Cities a great church you know they they a great church you know they they a great church you know they they started with just 13 people 20 years ago

started with just 13 people 20 years ago started with just 13 people 20 years ago and have grown a little bit larger than and have grown a little bit larger than and have grown a little bit larger than that today it's a reward Aaron on the that today it's a reward Aaron on the that today it's a reward Aaron on the show that I Darin welcome to the show show that I Darin welcome to the show show that I Darin welcome to the show yeah thanks so much i'm excited to be yeah thanks so much i'm excited to be yeah thanks so much i'm excited to be here and be part of the podcast and here and be part of the podcast and here and be part of the podcast and listening what all everything's happen listening what all everything's happen listening what all everything's happen around the country to wow that's great around the country to wow that's great around the country to wow that's great Darren what do you tell us a little bit Darren what do you tell us a little bit Darren what do you tell us a little bit about give us a flavor of river valley about give us a flavor of river valley about give us a flavor of river valley give us a kind of you know what would give us a kind of you know what would give us a kind of you know what would people expect when they get there and people expect when they get there and people expect when they get there and then tell us about your role there at then tell us about your role there at then tell us about your role there at the church yeah river valleys and we the church yeah river valleys and we the church yeah river valleys and we would say we're in a tractional model would say we're in a tractional model would say we're in a tractional model and so we want to bring people to the and so we want to bring people to the and so we want to bring people to the church then send them out so it's an church then send them out so it's an church then send them out so it's an attraction ille excited celebratory attraction ille excited celebratory attraction ille excited celebratory model and we're multi-site we're eight model and we're multi-site we're eight model and we're multi-site we're eight campuses around the Twin Cities of campuses around the Twin Cities of campuses around the Twin Cities of Minnesota and we're two campuses Minnesota and we're two campuses Minnesota and we're two campuses overseas and so when we track numbers overseas and so when we track numbers overseas and so when we track numbers and everything we tend to track our and everything we tend to track our and everything we tend to track our Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota campuses right we resource our campuses campuses right we resource our campuses campuses right we resource our campuses are around the world one in Spain and are around the world one in Spain and are around the world one in Spain and one in swaziland africa and and so it's one in swaziland africa and and so it's one in swaziland africa and and so it's excited we have gone in were around excited we have gone in were around excited we have gone in were around 8,500 and weekend attendance right now a 8,500 and weekend attendance right now a 8,500 and weekend attendance right now a little perspective five years ago we little perspective five years ago we little perspective five years ago we were about 2,500 Wow so the so the last were about 2,500 Wow so the so the last were about 2,500 Wow so the so the last five years has been cut fun right five years has been cut fun right five years has been cut fun right learned a ton yeah made a lot of learned a ton yeah made a lot of learned a ton yeah made a lot of mistakes and hopefully are doing some mistakes and hopefully are doing some mistakes and hopefully are doing some things well and it's been it's been things well and it's been it's been things well and it's been it's been quite a journey my journey as an quite a journey my journey as an quite a journey my journey as an executive pastors pretty unique for a executive pastors pretty unique for a executive pastors pretty unique for a lot of XP so executive esters around the lot of XP so executive esters around the lot of XP so executive esters around the country I was a youth pastor for 14 country I was a youth pastor for 14 country I was a youth pastor for 14 years then I was a campus pastor yeah years then I was a campus pastor yeah years then I was a campus pastor yeah and an executive pastor for 3 right and and an executive pastor for 3 right and and an executive pastor for 3 right and which is kind of unique mix and it that which is kind of unique mix and it that which is kind of unique mix and it that was when multi-site wasn't big it was was when multi-site wasn't big it was was when multi-site wasn't big it was about about 12 years ago did campus about about 12 years ago did campus about about 12 years ago did campus pastor for three years then we planted a pastor for three years then we planted a pastor for three years then we planted a church and so my wife and I planted a

church and so my wife and I planted a church and so my wife and I planted a church not too far away then long story church not too far away then long story church not too far away then long story short our lead pastor rob ketterling and short our lead pastor rob ketterling and short our lead pastor rob ketterling and I merged our two churches together when I merged our two churches together when I merged our two churches together when we went multi-site right so in the last we went multi-site right so in the last we went multi-site right so in the last five and a half years we went from three five and a half years we went from three five and a half years we went from three campuses to the eighth so now I'm back campuses to the eighth so now I'm back campuses to the eighth so now I'm back being an executive pastor again had the being an executive pastor again had the being an executive pastor again had the opportunity to speak I probably do eight opportunity to speak I probably do eight opportunity to speak I probably do eight or nine weekends a year Wow oh so that's or nine weekends a year Wow oh so that's or nine weekends a year Wow oh so that's the real part of the enjoyment but team the real part of the enjoyment but team the real part of the enjoyment but team development raising up our team finding development raising up our team finding development raising up our team finding staff I kinda is just a huge thing staff I kinda is just a huge thing staff I kinda is just a huge thing whoever has the best staff wins ma'am whoever has the best staff wins ma'am whoever has the best staff wins ma'am you were saying just before when we got you were saying just before when we got you were saying just before when we got started you were saying this weekend is started you were saying this weekend is started you were saying this weekend is is kind of a unique weekend for is kind of a unique weekend for is kind of a unique weekend for something first in last three years give something first in last three years give something first in last three years give us a sense of what that is what was that us a sense of what that is what was that us a sense of what that is what was that yeah I was just sharing that I share yeah I was just sharing that I share yeah I was just sharing that I share with our team on Tuesday this was the with our team on Tuesday this was the with our team on Tuesday this was the this week is the first week in two and this week is the first week in two and this week is the first week in two and half years we haven't been in a building half years we haven't been in a building half years we haven't been in a building program I think Rob we have built three program I think Rob we have built three program I think Rob we have built three church buildings in the last two and church buildings in the last two and church buildings in the last two and half years wow so not one but three and half years wow so not one but three and half years wow so not one but three and each one is overlapped which is either each one is overlapped which is either each one is overlapped which is either insane or God's invasion or whatever and insane or God's invasion or whatever and insane or God's invasion or whatever and some of that is pastor Rob's but he's a some of that is pastor Rob's but he's a some of that is pastor Rob's but he's a strong visionary and I God's been strong visionary and I God's been strong visionary and I God's been faithful and we've learned from so many faithful and we've learned from so many faithful and we've learned from so many people but so we're taking a little people but so we're taking a little people but so we're taking a little breathing room but we really right now breathing room but we really right now breathing room but we really right now we we we have room in our campuses for growth of have room in our campuses for growth of have room in our campuses for growth of about 4,000 more so we feel positioned about 4,000 more so we feel positioned about 4,000 more so we feel positioned well ah and if it's another couple years well ah and if it's another couple years well ah and if it's another couple years before we build I'm all good with that before we build I'm all good with that before we build I'm all good with that because as weakens and pastor Robb is because as weakens and pastor Robb is because as weakens and pastor Robb is too because we can grow yeah and that's too because we can grow yeah and that's too because we can grow yeah and that's always our desire nice now you've

always our desire nice now you've always our desire nice now you've obviously to be an executive pastor in obviously to be an executive pastor in obviously to be an executive pastor in the role that you're in in a growing the role that you're in in a growing the role that you're in in a growing Church that's you know in a really rapid Church that's you know in a really rapid Church that's you know in a really rapid expanding time you obviously must be expanding time you obviously must be expanding time you obviously must be growing as a leader what are you doing growing as a leader what are you doing growing as a leader what are you doing to kind of grow yourself grow the people to kind of grow yourself grow the people to kind of grow yourself grow the people around that around you what does that around that around you what does that around that around you what does that look like for you yeah i would say i look like for you yeah i would say i look like for you yeah i would say i mean the the straightest answer for me mean the the straightest answer for me mean the the straightest answer for me is I find people around the country and is I find people around the country and is I find people around the country and I network with them and so and I don't I network with them and so and I don't I network with them and so and I don't just say I mean I don't just network just say I mean I don't just network just say I mean I don't just network with just their blogs or their twitter with just their blogs or their twitter with just their blogs or their twitter feed I network with them personally and feed I network with them personally and feed I network with them personally and so one I challenge our staff to do the so one I challenge our staff to do the so one I challenge our staff to do the same thing but I've done it Rob does it same thing but I've done it Rob does it same thing but I've done it Rob does it and I think it's a huge part of our and I think it's a huge part of our and I think it's a huge part of our growth is I find I'm close with three or growth is I find I'm close with three or growth is I find I'm close with three or four people that are in what I would four people that are in what I would four people that are in what I would call similar positions but have greater call similar positions but have greater call similar positions but have greater influence mm-hmm and so for me and I'd influence mm-hmm and so for me and I'd influence mm-hmm and so for me and I'd see that actually more that's probably see that actually more that's probably see that actually more that's probably six or seven right because i really love six or seven right because i really love six or seven right because i really love networking but I six or seven executive networking but I six or seven executive networking but I six or seven executive pastors in my life that are in peers in pastors in my life that are in peers in pastors in my life that are in peers in position but not peers and influence mmm position but not peers and influence mmm position but not peers and influence mmm maybe they may be three campuses behind maybe they may be three campuses behind maybe they may be three campuses behind beyond us or 10,000 people beyond us or beyond us or 10,000 people beyond us or beyond us or 10,000 people beyond us or maybe an uncle to me where they've been maybe an uncle to me where they've been maybe an uncle to me where they've been in XP and they're in their mid 50s and in XP and they're in their mid 50s and in XP and they're in their mid 50s and they've been in at 20 years where I've they've been in at 20 years where I've they've been in at 20 years where I've been an XP for seven years right so been an XP for seven years right so been an XP for seven years right so that's to be honest i mean i could say i that's to be honest i mean i could say i that's to be honest i mean i could say i read i do podcast and i do all that read i do podcast and i do all that read i do podcast and i do all that stuff but that those connections are stuff but that those connections are stuff but that those connections are huge and we've kind of thrown that huge and we've kind of thrown that huge and we've kind of thrown that through our team as well we place an through our team as well we place an through our team as well we place an expectation on every key staff member to

expectation on every key staff member to expectation on every key staff member to do that now let's talk about that let's do that now let's talk about that let's do that now let's talk about that let's talk about how you develop those kind of talk about how you develop those kind of talk about how you develop those kind of relationships and part of what i love relationships and part of what i love relationships and part of what i love about this is you know this has been about this is you know this has been about this is you know this has been very similar in my life that reaching very similar in my life that reaching very similar in my life that reaching out and interacting actually trying to out and interacting actually trying to out and interacting actually trying to develop relationships with people in develop relationships with people in develop relationships with people in similar you know ministries is similar you know ministries is similar you know ministries is critically important how do you do that critically important how do you do that critically important how do you do that how have you started some of those how have you started some of those how have you started some of those relationships with oh that's a great relationships with oh that's a great relationships with oh that's a great question and that my answer is I chase question and that my answer is I chase question and that my answer is I chase them I mean it when I I believe you got them I mean it when I I believe you got them I mean it when I I believe you got to chase people and to chase people and to chase people and I think when you chase people what I I think when you chase people what I I think when you chase people what I mean is it's not just my assistant mean is it's not just my assistant mean is it's not just my assistant sending one email I tried to get in sending one email I tried to get in sending one email I tried to get in their world and it might be I'll try to their world and it might be I'll try to their world and it might be I'll try to be at their conference I'll try it if I be at their conference I'll try it if I be at their conference I'll try it if I really want them in my life I'll try to really want them in my life I'll try to really want them in my life I'll try to be at their network event and just in be at their network event and just in be at their network event and just in create a connection say can we have create a connection say can we have create a connection say can we have coffee whatever and then usually if I coffee whatever and then usually if I coffee whatever and then usually if I chase them you find out is there a god chase them you find out is there a god chase them you find out is there a god equation there or not is there chemistry equation there or not is there chemistry equation there or not is there chemistry and and I you've probably found this as and and I you've probably found this as and and I you've probably found this as well most of the guys and gals around well most of the guys and gals around well most of the guys and gals around the country that are doing amazing they the country that are doing amazing they the country that are doing amazing they love to network with people too yes so love to network with people too yes so love to network with people too yes so as long as you're not wasting time as long as you're not wasting time as long as you're not wasting time they've been all in but to be honest I they've been all in but to be honest I they've been all in but to be honest I probably chased eighth and got six right probably chased eighth and got six right probably chased eighth and got six right you know two of them just didn't seem to you know two of them just didn't seem to you know two of them just didn't seem to connect and I whether it's time or sees connect and I whether it's time or sees connect and I whether it's time or sees a life and that's all good and there's a life and that's all good and there's a life and that's all good and there's probably two that would say that about probably two that would say that about probably two that would say that about me too then around the country there's me too then around the country there's me too then around the country there's other people maybe that have chased me other people maybe that have chased me other people maybe that have chased me and I have natural connections and so I and I have natural connections and so I and I have natural connections and so I tell people the onus is on me if I'm tell people the onus is on me if I'm tell people the onus is on me if I'm gonna if I want somebody to network in gonna if I want somebody to network in gonna if I want somebody to network in my life and so absolutely give us a my life and so absolutely give us a my life and so absolutely give us a sense of where that line between chasing sense of where that line between chasing sense of where that line between chasing someone which I love that language someone which I love that language someone which I love that language versus harassing them is what does that

versus harassing them is what does that versus harassing them is what does that look like for you and how have you kind look like for you and how have you kind look like for you and how have you kind of tried to balance that out yeah after of tried to balance that out yeah after of tried to balance that out yeah after my my kind of line is I will make a my my kind of line is I will make a my my kind of line is I will make a couple connections yeah and then i will couple connections yeah and then i will couple connections yeah and then i will ask them a clarity question right and ask them a clarity question right and ask them a clarity question right and and I just think most people appreciate and I just think most people appreciate and I just think most people appreciate that and I just I'll just ask him do you that and I just I'll just ask him do you that and I just I'll just ask him do you have time for another what i would call have time for another what i would call have time for another what i would call another network connection in your life another network connection in your life another network connection in your life and and Noah's okay and I just I say and and Noah's okay and I just I say and and Noah's okay and I just I say that to them is good because I think that to them is good because I think that to them is good because I think most people yourself myself I think you most people yourself myself I think you most people yourself myself I think you want to know what are you asking of me want to know what are you asking of me want to know what are you asking of me yes and and so I'm also clear of hey I'd yes and and so I'm also clear of hey I'd yes and and so I'm also clear of hey I'd love to network by text you know 10 12 love to network by text you know 10 12 love to network by text you know 10 12 times a year and just talked on the times a year and just talked on the times a year and just talked on the phone and but it's usually i found out phone and but it's usually i found out phone and but it's usually i found out when i asked that question they might when i asked that question they might when i asked that question they might say oh it's not a good season time or say oh it's not a good season time or say oh it's not a good season time or whatever and I just let them off whatever and I just let them off whatever and I just let them off gracefully and then we're good mm-hmm gracefully and then we're good mm-hmm gracefully and then we're good mm-hmm absolutely I think that whole hey no absolutely I think that whole hey no absolutely I think that whole hey no pressure I really value you I value a pressure I really value you I value a pressure I really value you I value a relationship I would love to connect relationship I would love to connect relationship I would love to connect more but hey no pressure um you know more but hey no pressure um you know more but hey no pressure um you know that's that's fine can you give us a that's that's fine can you give us a that's that's fine can you give us a story or an example of a time where you story or an example of a time where you story or an example of a time where you know you would say a relationship like know you would say a relationship like know you would say a relationship like this has been critical or been decisive this has been critical or been decisive this has been critical or been decisive in your leadership where it's you know in your leadership where it's you know in your leadership where it's you know it's made a difference it's kind of gone it's made a difference it's kind of gone it's made a difference it's kind of gone beyond just the conference beyond just the conference beyond just the conference gone beyond reading someone's blog or gone beyond reading someone's blog or gone beyond reading someone's blog or listening to a podcast where you've listening to a podcast where you've listening to a podcast where you've acted you know either maybe they've acted you know either maybe they've acted you know either maybe they've helped with something they've helped you helped with something they've helped you helped with something they've helped you know kind of take you know something know kind of take you know something know kind of take you know something further give us an example of that I i further give us an example of that I i further give us an example of that I i believe the relationship I'm passionate believe the relationship I'm passionate believe the relationship I'm passionate about this so young I when I go too long about this so young I when I go too long about this so young I when I go too long here okay no absolutely action about I here okay no absolutely action about I here okay no absolutely action about I look at it I believe the relationship look at it I believe the relationship look at it I believe the relationship goes from introduction to to an affinity goes from introduction to to an affinity goes from introduction to to an affinity to a relationship and and so it those

to a relationship and and so it those to a relationship and and so it those other conference round table stuff the other conference round table stuff the other conference round table stuff the guys I'm talking about and there's just guys I'm talking about and there's just guys I'm talking about and there's just there could be a lady as well but right there could be a lady as well but right there could be a lady as well but right now it's it's some XPS that are guys now it's it's some XPS that are guys now it's it's some XPS that are guys that are in my life right yesterday that are in my life right yesterday that are in my life right yesterday literally yesterday I was texting two of literally yesterday I was texting two of literally yesterday I was texting two of them about some strategic staffing them about some strategic staffing them about some strategic staffing decisions we were making here at River decisions we were making here at River decisions we were making here at River Valley and it could have been one of Valley and it could have been one of Valley and it could have been one of them was staffing dollars overall ratio them was staffing dollars overall ratio them was staffing dollars overall ratio to budget and I just said give me your to budget and I just said give me your to budget and I just said give me your insight what do you recommend what were insight what do you recommend what were insight what do you recommend what were you doing when you were our size because you doing when you were our size because you doing when you were our size because we have the relationship already we can we have the relationship already we can we have the relationship already we can do it by text because there's a trust do it by text because there's a trust do it by text because there's a trust factor there yes I won't learn we won't factor there yes I won't learn we won't factor there yes I won't learn we won't do it with each other if we just met do it with each other if we just met do it with each other if we just met each other at a conference right once each other at a conference right once each other at a conference right once they know so will that just happened they know so will that just happened they know so will that just happened yesterday because we're looking at 2016 yesterday because we're looking at 2016 yesterday because we're looking at 2016 kind of staff salary allocations and kind of staff salary allocations and kind of staff salary allocations and these two were just they responded these two were just they responded these two were just they responded within 30 minutes and and you don't have within 30 minutes and and you don't have within 30 minutes and and you don't have to set up an appointment you don't have to set up an appointment you don't have to set up an appointment you don't have to and so that's where that's valuable to and so that's where that's valuable to and so that's where that's valuable we just agree together that we trust we just agree together that we trust we just agree together that we trust that relationship will never we don't that relationship will never we don't that relationship will never we don't bother each other with a lot of small bother each other with a lot of small bother each other with a lot of small stuff mmhmm yeah that's very cool you stuff mmhmm yeah that's very cool you stuff mmhmm yeah that's very cool you know I know I have a similar know I know I have a similar know I know I have a similar relationship with a guy who's you know relationship with a guy who's you know relationship with a guy who's you know does a really good job on the group side does a really good job on the group side does a really good job on the group side and as an example from our you know from and as an example from our you know from and as an example from our you know from my ministry you know we have really my ministry you know we have really my ministry you know we have really struggled with groups like I think like struggled with groups like I think like struggled with groups like I think like so many attraction which is you know so many attraction which is you know so many attraction which is you know that that is an area where we just have that that is an area where we just have that that is an area where we just have to continue to pour the gas on continue to continue to pour the gas on continue to continue to pour the gas on continue to work with and this was years ago I to work with and this was years ago I to work with and this was years ago I would say be almost ten years ago after would say be almost ten years ago after would say be almost ten years ago after interacting with him this person has interacting with him this person has interacting with him this person has written a book he will remain nameless written a book he will remain nameless written a book he will remain nameless in this conversation on the group's

in this conversation on the group's in this conversation on the group's thing and we were talking about the thing and we were talking about the thing and we were talking about the whole coaching you know so you've got whole coaching you know so you've got whole coaching you know so you've got leaders and then you bump them up to leaders and then you bump them up to leaders and then you bump them up to become coaches of groups and we were become coaches of groups and we were become coaches of groups and we were really struggling with that we have a really struggling with that we have a really struggling with that we have a hard time sticking with that and so that hard time sticking with that and so that hard time sticking with that and so that we were in this you know I would say a we were in this you know I would say a we were in this you know I would say a fairly you know we a good relationship fairly you know we a good relationship fairly you know we a good relationship and the person said hey um yeah like and the person said hey um yeah like and the person said hey um yeah like that doesn't really work that doesn't really work that doesn't really work for us at our church either I said well for us at our church either I said well for us at our church either I said well that's what's in your book and yeah well that's what's in your book and yeah well that's what's in your book and yeah well yeah yeah that one phase it doesn't yeah yeah that one phase it doesn't yeah yeah that one phase it doesn't anymore yeah and and I think that's a anymore yeah and and I think that's a anymore yeah and and I think that's a perfect example where you know their perfect example where you know their perfect example where you know their things evolve things change and being in things evolve things change and being in things evolve things change and being in a relationship like this will help you a relationship like this will help you a relationship like this will help you you know take it to another level now you know take it to another level now you know take it to another level now how are you encouraging your staff to how are you encouraging your staff to how are you encouraging your staff to get involved in these yeah I've get involved in these yeah I've get involved in these yeah I've struggled with this as well I'll tell struggled with this as well I'll tell struggled with this as well I'll tell our staff if we're going to send you to our staff if we're going to send you to our staff if we're going to send you to a conference I want you to come back a conference I want you to come back a conference I want you to come back with relationships you don't not just a with relationships you don't not just a with relationships you don't not just a notebook full of you know points the notebook full of you know points the notebook full of you know points the bigger thing is come back with one or bigger thing is come back with one or bigger thing is come back with one or two people that you can actually call two people that you can actually call two people that you can actually call that's a bigger value how are you doing that's a bigger value how are you doing that's a bigger value how are you doing that in your church yeah just back to that in your church yeah just back to that in your church yeah just back to what you just mentioned excited it was what you just mentioned excited it was what you just mentioned excited it was so awesome that is you said the guy said so awesome that is you said the guy said so awesome that is you said the guy said hey you said hey it's not in your book hey you said hey it's not in your book hey you said hey it's not in your book that's not the way you do it yes i love that's not the way you do it yes i love that's not the way you do it yes i love about the relationships you and I are about the relationships you and I are about the relationships you and I are talking about is I called a peek under talking about is I called a peek under talking about is I called a peek under the tent mmm it's a peek behind the new the tent mmm it's a peek behind the new the tent mmm it's a peek behind the new work that's very good it's the honest work that's very good it's the honest work that's very good it's the honest it's the honest view right well not the it's the honest view right well not the it's the honest view right well not the publicity view right what's going on at publicity view right what's going on at publicity view right what's going on at the church not that the publicity is the church not that the publicity is the church not that the publicity is untrue but you can judge that yourself untrue but you can judge that yourself untrue but you can judge that yourself is that peek behind the tent where you is that peek behind the tent where you is that peek behind the tent where you get the real story and so for our staff get the real story and so for our staff get the real story and so for our staff I mean I oversee all of our department I mean I oversee all of our department I mean I oversee all of our department heads all our ministry department heads heads all our ministry department heads heads all our ministry department heads all of our campus pastors and so in that

all of our campus pastors and so in that all of our campus pastors and so in that role they are they're held accountable role they are they're held accountable role they are they're held accountable to have a minimum of three of these to have a minimum of three of these to have a minimum of three of these relationships in their lives and it's relationships in their lives and it's relationships in their lives and it's tied to their performance evaluation wow tied to their performance evaluation wow tied to their performance evaluation wow that's um and so we taking this serious that's um and so we taking this serious that's um and so we taking this serious this isn't yes like it would be great this isn't yes like it would be great this isn't yes like it would be great for you to do this yeah I just I think for you to do this yeah I just I think for you to do this yeah I just I think if I could share principal that's kind if I could share principal that's kind if I could share principal that's kind of big in my life this year I always of big in my life this year I always of big in my life this year I always kind of different things 2015 right this kind of different things 2015 right this kind of different things 2015 right this year principal in my life is I don't year principal in my life is I don't year principal in my life is I don't think I think the difference between think I think the difference between think I think the difference between average and effective is application mmm average and effective is application mmm average and effective is application mmm I do I think if there's a gap between I do I think if there's a gap between I do I think if there's a gap between average and effective it's an average and effective it's an average and effective it's an application an application isn't the application an application isn't the application an application isn't the most exciting visionary word that people most exciting visionary word that people most exciting visionary word that people like to use but I just think I think we like to use but I just think I think we like to use but I just think I think we have so much information yes and it's I have so much information yes and it's I have so much information yes and it's I mean podcast like this and Stanley stuff mean podcast like this and Stanley stuff mean podcast like this and Stanley stuff i'm listening to encroach shells and all i'm listening to encroach shells and all i'm listening to encroach shells and all these there's so much information and these there's so much information and these there's so much information and it's all i read this book and i did this it's all i read this book and i did this it's all i read this book and i did this and it but how it stays there in that and it but how it stays there in that and it but how it stays there in that information phase and I think these information phase and I think these information phase and I think these relationships it's all about applique relationships it's all about applique relationships it's all about applique patient like my call yesterday my friend patient like my call yesterday my friend patient like my call yesterday my friend was like help me apply this yes help me was like help me apply this yes help me was like help me apply this yes help me how did you if you went from forty five how did you if you went from forty five how did you if you went from forty five percent wages and benefits to 35 how did percent wages and benefits to 35 how did percent wages and benefits to 35 how did you do that right versus let's do it in you do that right versus let's do it in you do that right versus let's do it in no information so it is serious on our no information so it is serious on our no information so it is serious on our team and I would say some are more team and I would say some are more team and I would say some are more excited about it than others but the excited about it than others but the excited about it than others but the ones that are not we're just trying to ones that are not we're just trying to ones that are not we're just trying to we're trying to move them along because we're trying to move them along because we're trying to move them along because we've said we want to be effective we we've said we want to be effective we we've said we want to be effective we don't want to be average and because don't want to be average and because don't want to be average and because kingdom souls are at stake we're trying kingdom souls are at stake we're trying kingdom souls are at stake we're trying to reach people absolutely I think

to reach people absolutely I think to reach people absolutely I think there's a part two here in where you there's a part two here in where you there's a part two here in where you know the reality of it is our churches know the reality of it is our churches know the reality of it is our churches are you know across the country we're are you know across the country we're are you know across the country we're wrestling with the same issues the exact wrestling with the same issues the exact wrestling with the same issues the exact on versation you just talked about you on versation you just talked about you on versation you just talked about you know staff to riz staff to expense ratio know staff to riz staff to expense ratio know staff to riz staff to expense ratio you know that every church and hundreds you know that every church and hundreds you know that every church and hundreds of people are listening in now are of people are listening in now are of people are listening in now are thinking that question they're wondering thinking that question they're wondering thinking that question they're wondering about that and so you know rather than about that and so you know rather than about that and so you know rather than just being in your room wondering maybe just being in your room wondering maybe just being in your room wondering maybe I can come up with this myself let's use I can come up with this myself let's use I can come up with this myself let's use the wisdom of each other absolutely you the wisdom of each other absolutely you the wisdom of each other absolutely you know to learn you know from each other know to learn you know from each other know to learn you know from each other for sure anything else you'd love to for sure anything else you'd love to for sure anything else you'd love to share on this topic before we jump on share on this topic before we jump on share on this topic before we jump on with the rest of the episode yeah I with the rest of the episode yeah I with the rest of the episode yeah I think the better the relationship you think the better the relationship you think the better the relationship you have with a few with a few and I don't have with a few with a few and I don't have with a few with a few and I don't calm coaches but there I call them peer calm coaches but there I call them peer calm coaches but there I call them peer mentors their peers but their mentoring mentors their peers but their mentoring mentors their peers but their mentoring and I think when your peer mentor the and I think when your peer mentor the and I think when your peer mentor the roles can change too sometimes I can roles can change too sometimes I can roles can change too sometimes I can mentor you you can mentor me and and its mentor you you can mentor me and and its mentor you you can mentor me and and its really clear I just think that also you really clear I just think that also you really clear I just think that also you are the better the better information are the better the better information are the better the better information you get and because the closer you are you get and because the closer you are you get and because the closer you are the higher level of the trust and it's the higher level of the trust and it's the higher level of the trust and it's 10 and that could be true for youth 10 and that could be true for youth 10 and that could be true for youth pastors campus pastors kids pastors pastors campus pastors kids pastors pastors campus pastors kids pastors executive pastors it's true for lead executive pastors it's true for lead executive pastors it's true for lead pastors and I see you pastor Robb model pastors and I see you pastor Robb model pastors and I see you pastor Robb model this in his own world where he's chased this in his own world where he's chased this in his own world where he's chased some really effective pastors around the some really effective pastors around the some really effective pastors around the country and now he's in their lives and country and now he's in their lives and country and now he's in their lives and and he learns a ton and now there's and he learns a ton and now there's and he learns a ton and now there's other pastors chasing him so you're other pastors chasing him so you're other pastors chasing him so you're right we're super passionate about it right we're super passionate about it right we're super passionate about it this is the uncen airy podcast stuff you this is the uncen airy podcast stuff you this is the uncen airy podcast stuff you wish they taught in seminary gonna jump wish they taught in seminary gonna jump wish they taught in seminary gonna jump into the lightning round this is the into the lightning round this is the into the lightning round this is the part of the episode where we have part of the episode where we have part of the episode where we have similar questions of everybody that's on similar questions of everybody that's on similar questions of everybody that's on the show today it's been our privilege the show today it's been our privilege the show today it's been our privilege our honor really to have Darren with us

our honor really to have Darren with us our honor really to have Darren with us from River Valley Church super excited from River Valley Church super excited from River Valley Church super excited to have him with us Darren thanks for to have him with us Darren thanks for to have him with us Darren thanks for being here today so what is it online being here today so what is it online being here today so what is it online resource you've been using these days resource you've been using these days resource you've been using these days that's been helping you in your ministry that's been helping you in your ministry that's been helping you in your ministry yeah I'm not a technology guru yeah I'm not a technology guru yeah I'm not a technology guru I always say I tell my system about six I always say I tell my system about six I always say I tell my system about six six months to the lagging behind this six months to the lagging behind this six months to the lagging behind this year for me it's been tripit and year for me it's been tripit and year for me it's been tripit and wonderless okay great those are too wonderless okay great those are too wonderless okay great those are too thick trip it and I know a lot of people thick trip it and I know a lot of people thick trip it and I know a lot of people use it I travel um probably I travel use it I travel um probably I travel use it I travel um probably I travel probably two days a week 20 times a year probably two days a week 20 times a year probably two days a week 20 times a year okay and average is that between okay and average is that between okay and average is that between submission strips and some other things submission strips and some other things submission strips and some other things so that has been an incredible resource so that has been an incredible resource so that has been an incredible resource to me where it pulls it all together and to me where it pulls it all together and to me where it pulls it all together and then wunderlist is just trying to figure then wunderlist is just trying to figure then wunderlist is just trying to figure it's been a help for our senior it's been a help for our senior it's been a help for our senior leadership team and uh of where where we leadership team and uh of where where we leadership team and uh of where where we are able to we trot it wonderless are able to we trot it wonderless are able to we trot it wonderless basically helps us add things to an basically helps us add things to an basically helps us add things to an agenda and it not have to go through an agenda and it not have to go through an agenda and it not have to go through an administrative assistant right administrative assistant right administrative assistant right absolutely great great stuff what's a absolutely great great stuff what's a absolutely great great stuff what's a book you're reading these days that's book you're reading these days that's book you're reading these days that's having you know an impact on your having you know an impact on your having you know an impact on your thinking yeah teams that thrive I look thinking yeah teams that thrive I look thinking yeah teams that thrive I look I'm probably 90 I just was read at I'm probably 90 I just was read at I'm probably 90 I just was read at finishing up this morning about ninety finishing up this morning about ninety finishing up this morning about ninety percent done Warren birds one of the two percent done Warren birds one of the two percent done Warren birds one of the two authors are not sure the other guy but authors are not sure the other guy but authors are not sure the other guy but it's it's challenging to the core yes it's it's challenging to the core yes it's it's challenging to the core yes it's it's really about are you a senior it's it's really about are you a senior it's it's really about are you a senior leadership team a strategic team or are leadership team a strategic team or are leadership team a strategic team or are you a work group yes and who has the gun you a work group yes and who has the gun you a work group yes and who has the gun in the room you know it's tied to I love in the room you know it's tied to I love in the room you know it's tied to I love lencioni stuff I love Jim Collins stuff lencioni stuff I love Jim Collins stuff lencioni stuff I love Jim Collins stuff and and this kind of really puts it puts and and this kind of really puts it puts and and this kind of really puts it puts the screws to you a little bit and and

the screws to you a little bit and and the screws to you a little bit and and so that's my practical than I just so that's my practical than I just so that's my practical than I just started reading Brian Houston's new book started reading Brian Houston's new book started reading Brian Houston's new book I think that's called live LA Live Love I think that's called live LA Live Love I think that's called live LA Live Love lead or something you know third of the lead or something you know third of the lead or something you know third of the way through that cool that's great yeah way through that cool that's great yeah way through that cool that's great yeah we had Reinhart wigan Warren bird on we had Reinhart wigan Warren bird on we had Reinhart wigan Warren bird on about that book it's a fantastic book if about that book it's a fantastic book if about that book it's a fantastic book if you haven't read it I really should it's you haven't read it I really should it's you haven't read it I really should it's on my must-read list it's a great book on my must-read list it's a great book on my must-read list it's a great book for sure absolutely what's another for sure absolutely what's another for sure absolutely what's another minister you're looking to that's kind minister you're looking to that's kind minister you're looking to that's kind of inspiring you these days um I'm sure of inspiring you these days um I'm sure of inspiring you these days um I'm sure like a lot of guys but it's true for me like a lot of guys but it's true for me like a lot of guys but it's true for me Life Church mm-hmm a life church TV yeah Life Church mm-hmm a life church TV yeah Life Church mm-hmm a life church TV yeah one of the people in my life I mentioned one of the people in my life I mentioned one of the people in my life I mentioned is is is one of their directional is is is one of their directional is is is one of their directional leadership people and and it's i just i leadership people and and it's i just i leadership people and and it's i just i love how even though there are 60,000 love how even though there are 60,000 love how even though there are 60,000 people or whatever they are and they are people or whatever they are and they are people or whatever they are and they are in that range and so many campuses I in that range and so many campuses I in that range and so many campuses I thought there a multi-site model we're a thought there a multi-site model we're a thought there a multi-site model we're a multi-site model but they do what I call multi-site model but they do what I call multi-site model but they do what I call medium-sized locations hmm so it is medium-sized locations hmm so it is medium-sized locations hmm so it is transferable transferable transferable and so it's not they don't build four and so it's not they don't build four and so it's not they don't build four thousand seed auditoriums everywhere thousand seed auditoriums everywhere thousand seed auditoriums everywhere right building these thousand seat 800 right building these thousand seat 800 right building these thousand seat 800 to 1200 and the other thing is they are to 1200 and the other thing is they are to 1200 and the other thing is they are so generous you know they're the crater so generous you know they're the crater so generous you know they're the crater of you version they're so generous with of you version they're so generous with of you version they're so generous with the resaurians so even though we were a the resaurians so even though we were a the resaurians so even though we were a little different flavor of a church I little different flavor of a church I little different flavor of a church I love and that that site inspires me love and that that site inspires me love and that that site inspires me their generosity ins yeah they're that's their generosity ins yeah they're that's their generosity ins yeah they're that's incredible it's a great church for sure incredible it's a great church for sure incredible it's a great church for sure if you could get 15 minutes late a lot if you could get 15 minutes late a lot if you could get 15 minutes late a lot with any leader alive who would you want with any leader alive who would you want with any leader alive who would you want to get that with and why yeah my my to get that with and why yeah my my to get that with and why yeah my my heart answers Billy Graham ah you're heart answers Billy Graham ah you're heart answers Billy Graham ah you're playing the trump cards that's the trump playing the trump cards that's the trump playing the trump cards that's the trump card that's my heart answer my

card that's my heart answer my card that's my heart answer my thoughtful answer would probably be thoughtful answer would probably be thoughtful answer would probably be Craig Groeschel okay cuz now I know a Craig Groeschel okay cuz now I know a Craig Groeschel okay cuz now I know a couple of his team members really well couple of his team members really well couple of his team members really well yeah and I just why wouldn't you want to yeah and I just why wouldn't you want to yeah and I just why wouldn't you want to meet with this guy that's that's leading meet with this guy that's that's leading meet with this guy that's that's leading one of the greatest churches in our in one of the greatest churches in our in one of the greatest churches in our in our country but Billy Graham I'm at that our country but Billy Graham I'm at that our country but Billy Graham I'm at that season where I just legacies turning season where I just legacies turning season where I just legacies turning more and more important to me you know more and more important to me you know more and more important to me you know late 40s and in thinking about that and late 40s and in thinking about that and late 40s and in thinking about that and my kids are getting older and that whole my kids are getting older and that whole my kids are getting older and that whole thing of legacy and what's coming behind thing of legacy and what's coming behind thing of legacy and what's coming behind and not worried about the limelight and not worried about the limelight and not worried about the limelight quite as much but and I think that's a quite as much but and I think that's a quite as much but and I think that's a huge part of an XPS role is kind of huge part of an XPS role is kind of huge part of an XPS role is kind of legacy we developed and help our teams legacy we developed and help our teams legacy we developed and help our teams start to develop very cool very cool start to develop very cool very cool start to develop very cool very cool well I'm sure leading their River Valley well I'm sure leading their River Valley well I'm sure leading their River Valley is just it's all-consuming but you must is just it's all-consuming but you must is just it's all-consuming but you must do something to kind of kick back and do something to kind of kick back and do something to kind of kick back and relax what do you do for fun when you relax what do you do for fun when you relax what do you do for fun when you just kind of look in to relax a little just kind of look in to relax a little just kind of look in to relax a little bit enjoy enjoy life yeah I'm not real bit enjoy enjoy life yeah I'm not real bit enjoy enjoy life yeah I'm not real good at it but I love to go Oh God nice good at it but I love to go Oh God nice good at it but I love to go Oh God nice good good good sure that's probably most good good good sure that's probably most good good good sure that's probably most people's a lot of people say I'm not yet people's a lot of people say I'm not yet people's a lot of people say I'm not yet you know but I've been able to golf last you know but I've been able to golf last you know but I've been able to golf last couple years Pebble Beach and Spanish couple years Pebble Beach and Spanish couple years Pebble Beach and Spanish bay and spyglass and these are some bay and spyglass and these are some bay and spyglass and these are some really I've never golfed Augusta for the really I've never golfed Augusta for the really I've never golfed Augusta for the Masters is but it is I love it because I Masters is but it is I love it because I Masters is but it is I love it because I can blame nobody but myself blame the can blame nobody but myself blame the can blame nobody but myself blame the referees you can't blame anything yes referees you can't blame anything yes referees you can't blame anything yes and it's it really I love because it and it's it really I love because it and it's it really I love because it does it takes your concentration which does it takes your concentration which does it takes your concentration which then makes me disengage from work so then makes me disengage from work so then makes me disengage from work so love that love the mountains though to love that love the mountains though to love that love the mountains though to skiing in the mountains oh nice good skiing in the mountains oh nice good skiing in the mountains oh nice good while you're in a good part of the while you're in a good part of the while you're in a good part of the country for skiing tooth yeah it's cold country for skiing tooth yeah it's cold country for skiing tooth yeah it's cold enough that's great well Darren thanks enough that's great well Darren thanks enough that's great well Darren thanks so much for you on the show today if so much for you on the show today if so much for you on the show today if people want to get in touch with you people want to get in touch with you people want to get in touch with you because maybe they want to chase you

because maybe they want to chase you because maybe they want to chase you down now or if they want to you know down now or if they want to you know down now or if they want to you know learn more about the church how can they learn more about the church how can they learn more about the church how can they do that yeah the easiest way if there do that yeah the easiest way if there do that yeah the easiest way if there not really connected to us would be they not really connected to us would be they not really connected to us would be they reach out to me through Twitter and uh reach out to me through Twitter and uh reach out to me through Twitter and uh and so at Darren Poli and they can just and so at Darren Poli and they can just and so at Darren Poli and they can just reach out that way or they can email me reach out that way or they can email me reach out that way or they can email me right off river valleys website right off river valleys website right off river valleys website especially if they're looking at we do especially if they're looking at we do especially if they're looking at we do some roundtables and different things some roundtables and different things some roundtables and different things and we're starting a network and but and we're starting a network and but and we're starting a network and but basically we just want to be a resource basically we just want to be a resource basically we just want to be a resource if we can be so those are easy ways nice if we can be so those are easy ways nice if we can be so those are easy ways nice Darren thanks so much for being on the Darren thanks so much for being on the Darren thanks so much for being on the show that I really appreciate you show that I really appreciate you show that I really appreciate you investing in the people are listening in investing in the people are listening in investing in the people are listening in it was an honor to do it thank you so it was an honor to do it thank you so it was an honor to do it thank you so much thank you yeah thank you for tuning much thank you yeah thank you for tuning much thank you yeah thank you for tuning in to this week's unsung re podcast in to this week's unsung re podcast in to this week's unsung re podcast don't be shy we'd love to connect check don't be shy we'd love to connect check don't be shy we'd love to connect check out on seminary inbox you can sign up at out on seminary inbox you can sign up at out on seminary inbox you can sign up at unsummon re calm and we'll send you unsummon re calm and we'll send you unsummon re calm and we'll send you helpful training resources every week helpful training resources every week helpful training resources every week plus you'll gain immediate access to our plus you'll gain immediate access to our plus you'll gain immediate access to our exclusive members area with tons of exclusive members area with tons of exclusive members area with tons of resources you can use connect with rich resources you can use connect with rich resources you can use connect with rich on Twitter add rich birch or through on Twitter add rich birch or through on Twitter add rich birch or through email rich at unset Maneri calm don't email rich at unset Maneri calm don't email rich at unset Maneri calm don't forget to check out the show notes for forget to check out the show notes for forget to check out the show notes for this episode at unset Maneri com it this episode at unset Maneri com it this episode at unset Maneri com it includes links to what we talked about includes links to what we talked about includes links to what we talked about today and more leave a comment we'd love today and more leave a comment we'd love today and more leave a comment we'd love to hear from you did you enjoy today's to hear from you did you enjoy today's to hear from you did you enjoy today's episode drop by itunes and leave a episode drop by itunes and leave a episode drop by itunes and leave a review thanks again for tuning in to review thanks again for tuning in to review thanks again for tuning in to this week's on seminary podcast join us this week's on seminary podcast join us this week's on seminary podcast join us next week when we'll learn more stuff we next week when we'll learn more stuff we next week when we'll learn more stuff we wish they taught in seminary