Jon Peacock urges leaders to put the “local” back in “local church”.

ladies and gentlemen welcome to the ladies and gentlemen welcome to the unseminary podcast are you looking for unseminary podcast are you looking for unseminary podcast are you looking for practical Ministry help to drive your practical Ministry help to drive your practical Ministry help to drive your ministry further faster have a sinking ministry further faster have a sinking ministry further faster have a sinking feeling that your ministry training feeling that your ministry training feeling that your ministry training didn't prepare you for the real world didn't prepare you for the real world didn't prepare you for the real world hey you're not alone join thousands of hey you're not alone join thousands of hey you're not alone join thousands of others in pursuit of stuff that we wish others in pursuit of stuff that we wish others in pursuit of stuff that we wish they had taught in seminary buckle up they had taught in seminary buckle up they had taught in seminary buckle up and let's get started with this week's and let's get started with this week's and let's get started with this week's un Seminary podcast all right well happy un Seminary podcast all right well happy un Seminary podcast all right well happy Thursday everybody Welcome to the Thursday everybody Welcome to the Thursday everybody Welcome to the unseminary podcast thanks so much for unseminary podcast thanks so much for unseminary podcast thanks so much for tuning in for putting us in your earbuds tuning in for putting us in your earbuds tuning in for putting us in your earbuds today super appreciate that uh thanks today super appreciate that uh thanks today super appreciate that uh thanks for taking time out from doing whatever for taking time out from doing whatever for taking time out from doing whatever it was you're doing this morning to just it was you're doing this morning to just it was you're doing this morning to just listen in today we've got a great listen in today we've got a great listen in today we've got a great conversation uh with a church leader conversation uh with a church leader conversation uh with a church leader I've been looking forward to talking to I've been looking forward to talking to I've been looking forward to talking to you for quite a while John peacock from you for quite a while John peacock from you for quite a while John peacock from Mission Church in the greater Chicago Mission Church in the greater Chicago Mission Church in the greater Chicago land area he's going to tell you uh land area he's going to tell you uh land area he's going to tell you uh about the church but John welcome to the about the church but John welcome to the about the church but John welcome to the show thanks man it's great to be here show thanks man it's great to be here show thanks man it's great to be here with you guys oh I'm so glad you're here with you guys oh I'm so glad you're here with you guys oh I'm so glad you're here John was I got introduced to John by a John was I got introduced to John by a John was I got introduced to John by a friend a mutual friend Christy Rudder friend a mutual friend Christy Rudder friend a mutual friend Christy Rudder who's actually been on the uh the who's actually been on the uh the who's actually been on the uh the podcast in the past I really uh am podcast in the past I really uh am podcast in the past I really uh am excited to hear about Mission Church why excited to hear about Mission Church why excited to hear about Mission Church why don't you tell us a little bit about don't you tell us a little bit about don't you tell us a little bit about your church you just celebrated a big your church you just celebrated a big your church you just celebrated a big anniversary didn't you yeah uh three anniversary didn't you yeah uh three anniversary didn't you yeah uh three years uh was this past Sunday years uh was this past Sunday years uh was this past Sunday congratulations thank you yeah we're congratulations thank you yeah we're congratulations thank you yeah we're yeah we we started with um really just a yeah we we started with um really just a yeah we we started with um really just a few of my friends and um it's been few of my friends and um it's been few of my friends and um it's been incredible to see what God's done over incredible to see what God's done over incredible to see what God's done over the past three years we we planted this the past three years we we planted this the past three years we we planted this church in my hometown which is in Rosel church in my hometown which is in Rosel church in my hometown which is in Rosel which no one's heard of but uh a lot of which no one's heard of but uh a lot of which no one's heard of but uh a lot of people have heard of shamberg uh so it's people have heard of shamberg uh so it's people have heard of shamberg uh so it's it's not too far from that area but uh it's not too far from that area but uh it's not too far from that area but uh we're located in um an area that we've we're located in um an area that we've we're located in um an area that we've named the 10 there's uh 10

named the 10 there's uh 10 named the 10 there's uh 10 communities that that we're committed to communities that that we're committed to communities that that we're committed to serving for the rest of our life and and serving for the rest of our life and and serving for the rest of our life and and so um yeah you know three years ago uh so um yeah you know three years ago uh so um yeah you know three years ago uh few of us we just began we grew up in few of us we just began we grew up in few of us we just began we grew up in this community and we said you know we this community and we said you know we this community and we said you know we want to we really want to see what would want to we really want to see what would want to we really want to see what would happen if we were to really live out the happen if we were to really live out the happen if we were to really live out the vision we see in in the Gospel of John vision we see in in the Gospel of John vision we see in in the Gospel of John in chapter 1 where Jesus moved out of in chapter 1 where Jesus moved out of in chapter 1 where Jesus moved out of heaven and into the neighborhood you heaven and into the neighborhood you heaven and into the neighborhood you know what would happen happen if we said know what would happen happen if we said know what would happen happen if we said all right we're probably not going to um all right we're probably not going to um all right we're probably not going to um change the world we're probably not change the world we're probably not change the world we're probably not going to reach the world but but what if going to reach the world but but what if going to reach the world but but what if we were to love a you know 10 tals for we were to love a you know 10 tals for we were to love a you know 10 tals for the rest of our life what could happen the rest of our life what could happen the rest of our life what could happen if we kind of narrow our uh our Focus if we kind of narrow our uh our Focus if we kind of narrow our uh our Focus perhaps we could deepen our impact and perhaps we could deepen our impact and perhaps we could deepen our impact and and so um we've been trying to really and so um we've been trying to really and so um we've been trying to really live out what I would consider a live out what I would consider a live out what I would consider a Neighborhood Church Neighborhood Church Neighborhood Church model um in in part there's some model um in in part there's some model um in in part there's some attraction uh to it as well so it's not attraction uh to it as well so it's not attraction uh to it as well so it's not like um it's a little bit of and if like um it's a little bit of and if like um it's a little bit of and if you're familiar with that FS are kind of you're familiar with that FS are kind of you're familiar with that FS are kind of description and you know we we've been description and you know we we've been description and you know we we've been asking what would happen if we were to asking what would happen if we were to asking what would happen if we were to um really live this thing out not just um really live this thing out not just um really live this thing out not just one day a week but seven days a week and one day a week but seven days a week and one day a week but seven days a week and so we've been amazed at what God's done so we've been amazed at what God's done so we've been amazed at what God's done um in the last three years yeah that's um in the last three years yeah that's um in the last three years yeah that's really cool why don't you give us a really cool why don't you give us a really cool why don't you give us a sense of these 10 communities you know sense of these 10 communities you know sense of these 10 communities you know what's the kind of obviously they're all what's the kind of obviously they're all what's the kind of obviously they're all unique but give us a sense of kind of unique but give us a sense of kind of unique but give us a sense of kind of the personality of the of these the personality of the of these the personality of the of these communities yeah um unique is is good communities yeah um unique is is good communities yeah um unique is is good they're they're pretty it depends on the they're they're pretty it depends on the they're they're pretty it depends on the community that you're in that you're in community that you're in that you're in community that you're in that you're in there's 10 of them one town that a lot

there's 10 of them one town that a lot there's 10 of them one town that a lot of people have heard of is Madina uh of people have heard of is Madina uh of people have heard of is Madina uh because of Madina Country Club I think because of Madina Country Club I think because of Madina Country Club I think top five country club in the world wow top five country club in the world wow top five country club in the world wow so that's mainly known for its Country so that's mainly known for its Country so that's mainly known for its Country Club not really for the town um it's Club not really for the town um it's Club not really for the town um it's mainly unincorporated really um but then mainly unincorporated really um but then mainly unincorporated really um but then you know next to that you've got uh a you know next to that you've got uh a you know next to that you've got uh a town of Addison mhm that's um you know town of Addison mhm that's um you know town of Addison mhm that's um you know huge percentage Hispanic next to that huge percentage Hispanic next to that huge percentage Hispanic next to that town you have itasa that not a huge town you have itasa that not a huge town you have itasa that not a huge percentage of percentage of percentage of Hispanic um what's really neat what I Hispanic um what's really neat what I Hispanic um what's really neat what I love about the tent I mean yeah this is love about the tent I mean yeah this is love about the tent I mean yeah this is where I'm from but I I love the variety where I'm from but I I love the variety where I'm from but I I love the variety I love that um you just have some some I love that um you just have some some I love that um you just have some some variety there at the same time it's a variety there at the same time it's a variety there at the same time it's a different uh place than even than I grew different uh place than even than I grew different uh place than even than I grew up in um there was an article not too up in um there was an article not too up in um there was an article not too long ago that was in the newspaper long ago that was in the newspaper long ago that was in the newspaper saying that this is not your Dage County saying that this is not your Dage County saying that this is not your Dage County anymore and due to anymore and due to anymore and due to gentrification the tons of the urban gentrification the tons of the urban gentrification the tons of the urban poor have moved into the 10 interesting poor have moved into the 10 interesting poor have moved into the 10 interesting and and so we've seen that as an and and so we've seen that as an and and so we've seen that as an opportunity right and the um the amount opportunity right and the um the amount opportunity right and the um the amount of work we've done in the schools which of work we've done in the schools which of work we've done in the schools which we could get to at some point in this we could get to at some point in this we could get to at some point in this podcast um but it's it's been to really podcast um but it's it's been to really podcast um but it's it's been to really say wow we have an opportunity to love say wow we have an opportunity to love say wow we have an opportunity to love and serve the poor we don't have to and serve the poor we don't have to and serve the poor we don't have to drive far the reality is um they're drive far the reality is um they're drive far the reality is um they're across the street the reality is that's across the street the reality is that's across the street the reality is that's some of us too mhm um and so you know a some of us too mhm um and so you know a some of us too mhm um and so you know a number of schools in the 10 number of schools in the 10 number of schools in the 10 have some even as high as 92% that live

have some even as high as 92% that live have some even as high as 92% that live under the poverty line wow um but scores under the poverty line wow um but scores under the poverty line wow um but scores of schools in the 80 percentile 70 of schools in the 80 percentile 70 of schools in the 80 percentile 70 percentile so um there's significant percentile so um there's significant percentile so um there's significant need um and at the same time uh I think need um and at the same time uh I think need um and at the same time uh I think it's part of our job too to understand it's part of our job too to understand it's part of our job too to understand what are the assets of the 10 too and what are the assets of the 10 too and what are the assets of the 10 too and let's try to leverage those so let's try to leverage those so let's try to leverage those so that's a little bit of what the 10 looks that's a little bit of what the 10 looks that's a little bit of what the 10 looks like it depends what town you're like it depends what town you're like it depends what town you're in looks and feels different than parts in looks and feels different than parts in looks and feels different than parts of Carol Stream as does glendell Heights of Carol Stream as does glendell Heights of Carol Stream as does glendell Heights as does Addison or Bloomingdale or as does Addison or Bloomingdale or as does Addison or Bloomingdale or Rosel um so it's kind of neat um Rosel um so it's kind of neat um Rosel um so it's kind of neat um interesting a lot of opportunity now on interesting a lot of opportunity now on interesting a lot of opportunity now on the you know the opener there you talked the you know the opener there you talked the you know the opener there you talked about how um you know obviously with the about how um you know obviously with the about how um you know obviously with the name Mission Church I'm assuming that name Mission Church I'm assuming that name Mission Church I'm assuming that you are trying to engage your people to you are trying to engage your people to you are trying to engage your people to get Beyond just the four walls of your get Beyond just the four walls of your get Beyond just the four walls of your services um why do you tell us a little services um why do you tell us a little services um why do you tell us a little bit about that and then how do you bit about that and then how do you bit about that and then how do you connect that you flagged on the front connect that you flagged on the front connect that you flagged on the front end that you also do you know some kind end that you also do you know some kind end that you also do you know some kind of attractional stuff too how does that of attractional stuff too how does that of attractional stuff too how does that blend together for you what does that blend together for you what does that blend together for you what does that how does that actually work its way out how does that actually work its way out how does that actually work its way out in your ministry yeah you we say on in your ministry yeah you we say on in your ministry yeah you we say on Sunday that we gather to go MH and I I Sunday that we gather to go MH and I I Sunday that we gather to go MH and I I really think really think really think that's the vision Jesus has for for when that's the vision Jesus has for for when that's the vision Jesus has for for when his people assemble and I Think Jesus his people assemble and I Think Jesus his people assemble and I Think Jesus wants his people to assemble I think wants his people to assemble I think wants his people to assemble I think Hebrews is clear on that but I I think Hebrews is clear on that but I I think Hebrews is clear on that but I I think it's meant to be more of a launching pad it's meant to be more of a launching pad it's meant to be more of a launching pad and I I think I think it's meant and I I think I think it's meant and I I think I think it's meant to um Inspire I think it's meant to to um Inspire I think it's meant to to um Inspire I think it's meant to really call us back to the the kind of really call us back to the the kind of really call us back to the the kind of people that we are we're image people that we are we're image people that we are we're image bearers um but man I I really believe

bearers um but man I I really believe bearers um but man I I really believe that we are called to go and I really that we are called to go and I really that we are called to go and I really believe that we're um need to be believe that we're um need to be believe that we're um need to be equipped to go and so uh we talk about equipped to go and so uh we talk about equipped to go and so uh we talk about living this out the other six days of living this out the other six days of living this out the other six days of the week MH and when we thought about the week MH and when we thought about the week MH and when we thought about what to name this church I mean that was what to name this church I mean that was what to name this church I mean that was that was quite a process I mean I've got that was quite a process I mean I've got that was quite a process I mean I've got two little girls it was hard naming my two little girls it was hard naming my two little girls it was hard naming my my kids you know but it was equally as my kids you know but it was equally as my kids you know but it was equally as hard naming a church yes yeah um so that hard naming a church yes yeah um so that hard naming a church yes yeah um so that was quite a process but I wanted there was quite a process but I wanted there was quite a process but I wanted there to be accountability in the name you to be accountability in the name you to be accountability in the name you know um you can't really name something know um you can't really name something know um you can't really name something Mission church if if we're a bunch Mission church if if we're a bunch Mission church if if we're a bunch of um you we just kind of sit around and of um you we just kind of sit around and of um you we just kind of sit around and um and complain or or don't really do um and complain or or don't really do um and complain or or don't really do anything so we're very action anything so we're very action anything so we're very action oriented um we have a bias for action we oriented um we have a bias for action we oriented um we have a bias for action we have a bias for blessing we have a bias have a bias for blessing we have a bias have a bias for blessing we have a bias for again doing what what I believe for again doing what what I believe for again doing what what I believe Jesus did and so there's accountability Jesus did and so there's accountability Jesus did and so there's accountability in the name second to that the mission in the name second to that the mission in the name second to that the mission of God you know the missio day I I can't of God you know the missio day I I can't of God you know the missio day I I can't get over that right so we um what we see get over that right so we um what we see get over that right so we um what we see from the beginning and I believe is from the beginning and I believe is from the beginning and I believe is laced all throughout from Genesis to laced all throughout from Genesis to laced all throughout from Genesis to Revelation is we worship ascending God Revelation is we worship ascending God Revelation is we worship ascending God and so when we say hey We Gather to go and so when we say hey We Gather to go and so when we say hey We Gather to go we don't go as a program mhm um we go as we don't go as a program mhm um we go as we don't go as a program mhm um we go as an identity okay you know this is who we an identity okay you know this is who we an identity okay you know this is who we are we're we're the scent agents of the are we're we're the scent agents of the are we're we're the scent agents of the King right so how does that I I

King right so how does that I I King right so how does that I I understand you know you're not you know understand you know you're not you know understand you know you're not you know it's not about program it's not about it's not about program it's not about it's not about program it's not about kind of like okay this is our outreach kind of like okay this is our outreach kind of like okay this is our outreach program which you know is obviously program which you know is obviously program which you know is obviously somewhat uh counterintuitive to actually somewhat uh counterintuitive to actually somewhat uh counterintuitive to actually trying to send people but what how do trying to send people but what how do trying to send people but what how do you you know kind of what how do you you you know kind of what how do you you you know kind of what how do you encourage people to take action what is encourage people to take action what is encourage people to take action what is it that you're you know actually ask it that you're you know actually ask it that you're you know actually ask asking people to engage with what have asking people to engage with what have asking people to engage with what have been some of the examples of that um been some of the examples of that um been some of the examples of that um over the last couple years yeah uh one over the last couple years yeah uh one over the last couple years yeah uh one of it is something we call my 60 mhm and of it is something we call my 60 mhm and of it is something we call my 60 mhm and um you know we've said hey um all of us um you know we've said hey um all of us um you know we've said hey um all of us have um the same amount of minutes a day have um the same amount of minutes a day have um the same amount of minutes a day okay no one gets any more no one gets okay no one gets any more no one gets okay no one gets any more no one gets any less we have the same amount of any less we have the same amount of any less we have the same amount of minutes a day mhm and what if you were minutes a day mhm and what if you were minutes a day mhm and what if you were to once a week take 60 to once a week take 60 to once a week take 60 minutes and you those minutes for the minutes and you those minutes for the minutes and you those minutes for the good of good of good of others and so we just we call it my 60 others and so we just we call it my 60 others and so we just we call it my 60 and um I'm I'm not going to exaggerate and um I'm I'm not going to exaggerate and um I'm I'm not going to exaggerate it it's I think that idea has just it it's I think that idea has just it it's I think that idea has just worlds of potential right and' seen it worlds of potential right and' seen it worlds of potential right and' seen it yield some really great things it's not yield some really great things it's not yield some really great things it's not where I think it needs to be yet so I'm where I think it needs to be yet so I'm where I think it needs to be yet so I'm not going to say and that has changed not going to say and that has changed not going to say and that has changed the world yeah right exactly um it the world yeah right exactly um it the world yeah right exactly um it hasn't uh good yeah it hasn't yet but hasn't uh good yeah it hasn't yet but hasn't uh good yeah it hasn't yet but what it has done and this is what I love what it has done and this is what I love what it has done and this is what I love about it is it's helped kind of about it is it's helped kind of about it is it's helped kind of broaden um what counts right so to speak broaden um what counts right so to speak broaden um what counts right so to speak right so um take 60 minutes and that 60 right so um take 60 minutes and that 60 right so um take 60 minutes and that 60 Minutes could be a meal with a neighbor Minutes could be a meal with a neighbor Minutes could be a meal with a neighbor that counts right it could be mentoring that counts right it could be mentoring that counts right it could be mentoring an at student I do that every

an at student I do that every an at student I do that every week um and so I know because it's built week um and so I know because it's built week um and so I know because it's built into my schedule I I'm in every week into my schedule I I'm in every week into my schedule I I'm in every week yes it could it could mean so many yes it could it could mean so many yes it could it could mean so many different things and I love that and so different things and I love that and so different things and I love that and so that was really one of the things I've that was really one of the things I've that was really one of the things I've been wrestling with for a while is been wrestling with for a while is been wrestling with for a while is sometimes sometimes sometimes we do our our people our church as a we do our our people our church as a we do our our people our church as a disservice when we tell only the huge disservice when we tell only the huge disservice when we tell only the huge stories right meaning um you know the stories right meaning um you know the stories right meaning um you know the guy that left his job to now work at the guy that left his job to now work at the guy that left his job to now work at the church story which is great and we have church story which is great and we have church story which is great and we have those stories too or the guy um and his those stories too or the guy um and his those stories too or the guy um and his wife that moved to Africa to start an wife that moved to Africa to start an wife that moved to Africa to start an orphanage those are great stories those orphanage those are great stories those orphanage those are great stories those need to be told right but I think most need to be told right but I think most need to be told right but I think most people are sitting there saying man I people are sitting there saying man I people are sitting there saying man I you know so what we want to do is we you know so what we want to do is we you know so what we want to do is we want to validate and honor the small mhm want to validate and honor the small mhm want to validate and honor the small mhm acts of heroism where you're walking acts of heroism where you're walking acts of heroism where you're walking across the street right you know where across the street right you know where across the street right you know where you're having a conversation uh with you're having a conversation uh with you're having a conversation uh with someone who you don't maybe feel like someone who you don't maybe feel like someone who you don't maybe feel like you have anything in common right so you have anything in common right so you have anything in common right so that's been some of the ideas um in my that's been some of the ideas um in my that's been some of the ideas um in my 60s something that we're really trying 60s something that we're really trying 60s something that we're really trying to celebrate and talk more about right to celebrate and talk more about right to celebrate and talk more about right give people ideas on on what it could be give people ideas on on what it could be give people ideas on on what it could be but that's an but that's an but that's an example um of something that we've done example um of something that we've done example um of something that we've done and something we're continuing to do I I and something we're continuing to do I I and something we're continuing to do I I would maybe add this would maybe add this would maybe add this um that you you can add a lot of ideas um that you you can add a lot of ideas um that you you can add a lot of ideas but if you don't have a culture sending but if you don't have a culture sending but if you don't have a culture sending it's going to be hard that's very true it's going to be hard that's very true it's going to be hard that's very true over the long run so I think that's the over the long run so I think that's the over the long run so I think that's the majority of the work we've done and are majority of the work we've done and are majority of the work we've done and are doing is making sure we have a sending doing is making sure we have a sending doing is making sure we have a sending culture right um and then if you do it

culture right um and then if you do it culture right um and then if you do it really Rings uh authentic yeah really Rings uh authentic yeah really Rings uh authentic yeah absolutely I think that's that's such a absolutely I think that's that's such a absolutely I think that's that's such a true point right if if if you don't have true point right if if if you don't have true point right if if if you don't have the culture right it'll just be a the culture right it'll just be a the culture right it'll just be a program right it'll just be something program right it'll just be something program right it'll just be something that people can check off in a box uh that people can check off in a box uh that people can check off in a box uh and it won't resonate beyond that it'll and it won't resonate beyond that it'll and it won't resonate beyond that it'll it won't it won't drive deep ultimately it won't it won't drive deep ultimately it won't it won't drive deep ultimately in people's lives and have them make you in people's lives and have them make you in people's lives and have them make you know the deeper tougher decisions uh you know the deeper tougher decisions uh you know the deeper tougher decisions uh you know about which in some ways are just know about which in some ways are just know about which in some ways are just the normal everyday decisions or the normal everyday decisions or the normal everyday decisions or sometimes the harder ones rather than sometimes the harder ones rather than sometimes the harder ones rather than the like I'll show up to your program um the like I'll show up to your program um the like I'll show up to your program um what are some of those ways you've what are some of those ways you've what are some of those ways you've encouraged it in the culture obviously encouraged it in the culture obviously encouraged it in the culture obviously probably through preaching through kind probably through preaching through kind probably through preaching through kind of even just celebrating it trying to of even just celebrating it trying to of even just celebrating it trying to package stuff like my 60 together from a package stuff like my 60 together from a package stuff like my 60 together from a Communications point of view what are Communications point of view what are Communications point of view what are some of those other things you've done some of those other things you've done some of those other things you've done to try to encourage um you know a real to try to encourage um you know a real to try to encourage um you know a real going culture going culture going culture sure part of it's the staff you hire sure part of it's the staff you hire sure part of it's the staff you hire mhm um part of it's those that are in mhm um part of it's those that are in mhm um part of it's those that are in leadership yep you you can't have a leadership yep you you can't have a leadership yep you you can't have a culture if those in leadership don't culture if those in leadership don't culture if those in leadership don't live out that culture you know and I live out that culture you know and I live out that culture you know and I think that is so obvious when I say think that is so obvious when I say think that is so obvious when I say it but but when you take a step back it it but but when you take a step back it it but but when you take a step back it can be really um I mean that could have can be really um I mean that could have can be really um I mean that could have just ruined someone's day right there just ruined someone's day right there just ruined someone's day right there right right you know because um I I right right you know because um I I right right you know because um I I think often times when we have maybe think often times when we have maybe think often times when we have maybe I'll call it like Mission drift MH is I'll call it like Mission drift MH is I'll call it like Mission drift MH is people like people like people like myself um for whatever reason the myself um for whatever reason the myself um for whatever reason the that that passion that commitment to that that passion that commitment to that that passion that commitment to live out the vision in which we really

live out the vision in which we really live out the vision in which we really started we've drifted you know and and started we've drifted you know and and started we've drifted you know and and we're not with people anymore we're not we're not with people anymore we're not we're not with people anymore we're not having those dinners anymore you know having those dinners anymore you know having those dinners anymore you know our church has made it we're stable or our church has made it we're stable or our church has made it we're stable or whatever right um and I think that is a whatever right um and I think that is a whatever right um and I think that is a dangerous place to be in absolutely and dangerous place to be in absolutely and dangerous place to be in absolutely and um you turn around and you realize man um you turn around and you realize man um you turn around and you realize man now we're just launching program after now we're just launching program after now we're just launching program after program to try to fix something but program to try to fix something but program to try to fix something but really the root of the matter is those really the root of the matter is those really the root of the matter is those in charge they're not living out the in charge they're not living out the in charge they're not living out the vision right and so you know that that's vision right and so you know that that's vision right and so you know that that's one thing is um we don't I don't hire one thing is um we don't I don't hire one thing is um we don't I don't hire someone that doesn't bleed for the someone that doesn't bleed for the someone that doesn't bleed for the neighborhood so true that's that's neighborhood so true that's that's neighborhood so true that's that's fantastic and um and so so that's one fantastic and um and so so that's one fantastic and um and so so that's one thing I another thing is um since we thing I another thing is um since we thing I another thing is um since we started we've just been telling certain started we've just been telling certain started we've just been telling certain stories a simple story that has really stories a simple story that has really stories a simple story that has really made an impact as around a fire pit and made an impact as around a fire pit and made an impact as around a fire pit and um it's a phenomenon really fire pits um it's a phenomenon really fire pits um it's a phenomenon really fire pits they really didn't exist when when we they really didn't exist when when we they really didn't exist when when we were growing up right you had to go were growing up right you had to go were growing up right you had to go camping and so now you know they're camping and so now you know they're camping and so now you know they're everywhere but one day I I moved the everywhere but one day I I moved the everywhere but one day I I moved the fire pit from my backyard into my front fire pit from my backyard into my front fire pit from my backyard into my front yard into my driveway actually and it yard into my driveway actually and it yard into my driveway actually and it was a simple mission was a simple mission was a simple mission idea to try to connect with neighbors idea to try to connect with neighbors idea to try to connect with neighbors and you know we've got tons of people uh and you know we've got tons of people uh and you know we've got tons of people uh that now have fir pits that you know that now have fir pits that you know that now have fir pits that you know like I said you don't have to go to like I said you don't have to go to like I said you don't have to go to graduate school and I still not done graduate school and I still not done graduate school and I still not done with graduate school to do stuff like with graduate school to do stuff like with graduate school to do stuff like this yeah um it just takes some this yeah um it just takes some this yeah um it just takes some intentionality to um to try to gather

intentionality to um to try to gather intentionality to um to try to gather people together so I I think that has people together so I I think that has people together so I I think that has helped and and I hope we continue to to helped and and I hope we continue to to helped and and I hope we continue to to do things like that very cool um now you do things like that very cool um now you do things like that very cool um now you also just finished a book right called also just finished a book right called also just finished a book right called unfinished is that the name of the book unfinished is that the name of the book unfinished is that the name of the book or is the the book or is the the book or is the the book unfinished thankfully the book is unfinished thankfully the book is unfinished thankfully the book is finished but it it is titled unfinished finished but it it is titled unfinished finished but it it is titled unfinished the starting line of surrender oh nice the starting line of surrender oh nice the starting line of surrender oh nice now what what motivated you to write now what what motivated you to write now what what motivated you to write that that's a big project you know yeah that that's a big project you know yeah that that's a big project you know yeah well I just have so much time on my well I just have so much time on my well I just have so much time on my hands yeah I was gonna say that where do hands yeah I was gonna say that where do hands yeah I was gonna say that where do you find time to do that yeah you know you find time to do that yeah you know you find time to do that yeah you know it's um what motivated me was was God it's um what motivated me was was God it's um what motivated me was was God God um might sound weird but God God um might sound weird but God God um might sound weird but God whispered that to me to to write it and whispered that to me to to write it and whispered that to me to to write it and and it's been a and it's been a and it's been a very um vulnerable process you know when very um vulnerable process you know when very um vulnerable process you know when I tried to get into Seminary I got in on I tried to get into Seminary I got in on I tried to get into Seminary I got in on probation because they said I wrote at probation because they said I wrote at probation because they said I wrote at an eighth grade level nice but I said A an eighth grade level nice but I said A an eighth grade level nice but I said A Gifted eighth Gifted eighth Gifted eighth grade so um that's funny I I don't grade so um that's funny I I don't grade so um that's funny I I don't classify myself as a writer man I'm more classify myself as a writer man I'm more classify myself as a writer man I'm more of a a barbecue expert um than writer uh of a a barbecue expert um than writer uh of a a barbecue expert um than writer uh so but I really felt God told me I so but I really felt God told me I so but I really felt God told me I needed to write something short huh that needed to write something short huh that needed to write something short huh that people would actually finish yep and uh people would actually finish yep and uh people would actually finish yep and uh the most influential books in my life the most influential books in my life the most influential books in my life have been things that um Henry Nan has have been things that um Henry Nan has have been things that um Henry Nan has written short books that are about 80 written short books that are about 80 written short books that are about 80 pages long David Benner books um just pages long David Benner books um just pages long David Benner books um just different short reads um you can pack different short reads um you can pack different short reads um you can pack some insight into those so that's what I some insight into those so that's what I some insight into those so that's what I did it's it's a short book I I hope You'

did it's it's a short book I I hope You' did it's it's a short book I I hope You' agree that it will have some insight um agree that it will have some insight um agree that it will have some insight um but really the idea is steps matter okay but really the idea is steps matter okay but really the idea is steps matter okay get anywhere without taking steps but get anywhere without taking steps but get anywhere without taking steps but what if you were to be more intentional what if you were to be more intentional what if you were to be more intentional about the steps you're taking from a about the steps you're taking from a about the steps you're taking from a spiritual standpoint and I wanted to spiritual standpoint and I wanted to spiritual standpoint and I wanted to give people um really I wrote it to two give people um really I wrote it to two give people um really I wrote it to two different uh types of people one the different uh types of people one the different uh types of people one the person that maybe is grown a little bit person that maybe is grown a little bit person that maybe is grown a little bit uh tired in their faith um I wrote it uh tired in their faith um I wrote it uh tired in their faith um I wrote it for them and hopefully providing some for them and hopefully providing some for them and hopefully providing some fresh language and insight around some fresh language and insight around some fresh language and insight around some of these steps that they've already of these steps that they've already of these steps that they've already thought of yep other person i' I've thought of yep other person i' I've thought of yep other person i' I've written it for is that person that's written it for is that person that's written it for is that person that's brand new in just now really open to brand new in just now really open to brand new in just now really open to this idea that Jesus has invited him uh this idea that Jesus has invited him uh this idea that Jesus has invited him uh to follow follow him so I wrote it for to follow follow him so I wrote it for to follow follow him so I wrote it for that person too giving them handles um that person too giving them handles um that person too giving them handles um and Clarity around what it looks like to and Clarity around what it looks like to and Clarity around what it looks like to follow Jesus so right very follow Jesus so right very follow Jesus so right very cool nice all right well uh you know cool nice all right well uh you know cool nice all right well uh you know just kind of as we wrap up this part of just kind of as we wrap up this part of just kind of as we wrap up this part of the uh interview is there anything else the uh interview is there anything else the uh interview is there anything else you you'd love to share with people that you you'd love to share with people that you you'd love to share with people that are listening in are listening in are listening in today oh man I I today oh man I I today oh man I I would I don't know exactly who listens would I don't know exactly who listens would I don't know exactly who listens to this podcast uhhuh um but what I to this podcast uhhuh um but what I to this podcast uhhuh um but what I would what I would say today is um don't would what I would say today is um don't would what I would say today is um don't forget your first forget your first forget your first love you know and and so to the guy out love you know and and so to the guy out love you know and and so to the guy out there like myself that's working hard there like myself that's working hard there like myself that's working hard and and and working on a sermon yet and and and working on a sermon yet and and and working on a sermon yet again um man let's not be guilty of again um man let's not be guilty of again um man let's not be guilty of preaching great sermons yet forgetting preaching great sermons yet forgetting preaching great sermons yet forgetting our first love and and to the to the our first love and and to the to the our first love and and to the to the business owner uh let's not be guilty of

business owner uh let's not be guilty of business owner uh let's not be guilty of building a great business yet forgetting building a great business yet forgetting building a great business yet forgetting our first love and this to the our first love and this to the our first love and this to the stay-at-home mom let's not be guilty of stay-at-home mom let's not be guilty of stay-at-home mom let's not be guilty of uh doing a great job with the kids today uh doing a great job with the kids today uh doing a great job with the kids today and that's important yet forgetting your and that's important yet forgetting your and that's important yet forgetting your first love and uh and so and even to the first love and uh and so and even to the first love and uh and so and even to the guy that's leading this podcast guy that's leading this podcast guy that's leading this podcast appreciate that of putting something appreciate that of putting something appreciate that of putting something together that's great and it really is a together that's great and it really is a together that's great and it really is a good resource yet forget your first love good resource yet forget your first love good resource yet forget your first love I really really feel like that's what I really really feel like that's what I really really feel like that's what it's all about this is the unseminary it's all about this is the unseminary it's all about this is the unseminary podcast stuff you wish they taught in podcast stuff you wish they taught in podcast stuff you wish they taught in seminary we're going to jump into the seminary we're going to jump into the seminary we're going to jump into the kind of the close out to the show called kind of the close out to the show called kind of the close out to the show called we call it the lightning round where we we call it the lightning round where we we call it the lightning round where we ask the same questions everybody who's ask the same questions everybody who's ask the same questions everybody who's on the show really just to get a sense on the show really just to get a sense on the show really just to get a sense of what's happening in uh in church of what's happening in uh in church of what's happening in uh in church leaders lives um so is there online leaders lives um so is there online leaders lives um so is there online resource uh you know John that you're resource uh you know John that you're resource uh you know John that you're using these days or that you've used using these days or that you've used using these days or that you've used that's you know had a kind of that's you know had a kind of that's you know had a kind of particularly helpful to you uh over the particularly helpful to you uh over the particularly helpful to you uh over the last little bit Yeah I uh Tim Redeemer last little bit Yeah I uh Tim Redeemer last little bit Yeah I uh Tim Redeemer Presbyterian Church New York um I think Presbyterian Church New York um I think Presbyterian Church New York um I think Tim Keller is the the pastor's Pastor Tim Keller is the the pastor's Pastor Tim Keller is the the pastor's Pastor yeah and so yeah I listen to every yeah and so yeah I listen to every yeah and so yeah I listen to every sermon he's pretty much given really sermon he's pretty much given really sermon he's pretty much given really impacts me a lot nice uh have you read a impacts me a lot nice uh have you read a impacts me a lot nice uh have you read a book in the last six months I know when book in the last six months I know when book in the last six months I know when you're writing a book it's hard to get you're writing a book it's hard to get you're writing a book it's hard to get reading time in but have you uh read a reading time in but have you uh read a reading time in but have you uh read a book in the last six months that's you book in the last six months that's you book in the last six months that's you know had an impact or shaped your know had an impact or shaped your know had an impact or shaped your ministry yeah it's a reread I try to ministry yeah it's a reread I try to ministry yeah it's a reread I try to read it once a year strengthening the read it once a year strengthening the read it once a year strengthening the soul of your leadership by Ruth Hal soul of your leadership by Ruth Hal soul of your leadership by Ruth Hal Barton if you are a leader you better Barton if you are a leader you better Barton if you are a leader you better lead it you better read it it's a great lead it you better read it it's a great lead it you better read it it's a great book that's a fantastic book we were out book that's a fantastic book we were out book that's a fantastic book we were out on a retreat with her um actually out on a retreat with her um actually out on a retreat with her um actually out your way in January last year when it

your way in January last year when it your way in January last year when it was minus a gajillion degrees she's a was minus a gajillion degrees she's a was minus a gajillion degrees she's a fantastic leader we really appreciate fantastic leader we really appreciate fantastic leader we really appreciate her for sure um you know what's other her for sure um you know what's other her for sure um you know what's other Ministries out there that are inspiring Ministries out there that are inspiring Ministries out there that are inspiring you these days you kind of looking at you these days you kind of looking at you these days you kind of looking at and saying like wow they're doing a and saying like wow they're doing a and saying like wow they're doing a great job you kind of look up to them great job you kind of look up to them great job you kind of look up to them yeah um Soul City Church jeie Stevens yeah um Soul City Church jeie Stevens yeah um Soul City Church jeie Stevens and Jared Stevens lead that church down and Jared Stevens lead that church down and Jared Stevens lead that church down in the city of Chicago they're uh some in the city of Chicago they're uh some in the city of Chicago they're uh some of my close friends and and I just I of my close friends and and I just I of my close friends and and I just I learn a lot from them so their their learn a lot from them so their their learn a lot from them so their their Ministry has has really been an Ministry has has really been an Ministry has has really been an inspiration to me for sure nice inspiration to me for sure nice inspiration to me for sure nice all right just two last questions if you all right just two last questions if you all right just two last questions if you could get 15 minutes minutes with any could get 15 minutes minutes with any could get 15 minutes minutes with any leader alive today who would you want to leader alive today who would you want to leader alive today who would you want to get that time with and why uh Wayne get that time with and why uh Wayne get that time with and why uh Wayne Brock he is uh in charge of Boy Scouts Brock he is uh in charge of Boy Scouts Brock he is uh in charge of Boy Scouts of America they have 1.2 million of America they have 1.2 million of America they have 1.2 million volunteers wow that's amazing I'd love volunteers wow that's amazing I'd love volunteers wow that's amazing I'd love to talk to him about that that's amazing to talk to him about that that's amazing to talk to him about that that's amazing how do you inspire that many people to how do you inspire that many people to how do you inspire that many people to do what they do for free yeah that's do what they do for free yeah that's do what they do for free yeah that's amazing that's cool great all right all amazing that's cool great all right all amazing that's cool great all right all right well when you're not uh you know right well when you're not uh you know right well when you're not uh you know leading your church or trying to just leading your church or trying to just leading your church or trying to just you know just trying to have some fun you know just trying to have some fun you know just trying to have some fun what do you do for fun to kind of relax what do you do for fun to kind of relax what do you do for fun to kind of relax hang out yeah I I cook on my big green hang out yeah I I cook on my big green hang out yeah I I cook on my big green egg oh nice you're a big green egg guy I egg oh nice you're a big green egg guy I egg oh nice you're a big green egg guy I am yep and so I I do that I run a lot am yep and so I I do that I run a lot am yep and so I I do that I run a lot okay um I know it may not look like it okay um I know it may not look like it okay um I know it may not look like it but I run a lot not fast but I run a lot but I run a lot not fast but I run a lot but I run a lot not fast but I run a lot I'm I'm a Avid bow hunter so I love to I'm I'm a Avid bow hunter so I love to I'm I'm a Avid bow hunter so I love to be out in the in the outdoors so those be out in the in the outdoors so those be out in the in the outdoors so those are a few of the things nice well John I

are a few of the things nice well John I are a few of the things nice well John I appreciate being on the show today if appreciate being on the show today if appreciate being on the show today if people want to reach your church how can people want to reach your church how can people want to reach your church how can they uh do that yeah we are mission.com they uh do that yeah we are mission.com they uh do that yeah we are mission.com is our website and you'll find is our website and you'll find is our website and you'll find everything there very cool well thanks everything there very cool well thanks everything there very cool well thanks so much for being on the show thanks for so much for being on the show thanks for so much for being on the show thanks for uh taking time out from seron prep and uh taking time out from seron prep and uh taking time out from seron prep and everything you're involved in uh today everything you're involved in uh today everything you're involved in uh today to be here today you happy to be here to be here today you happy to be here to be here today you happy to be here you can follow me on Twitter at John you can follow me on Twitter at John you can follow me on Twitter at John peacock but it's great to be part of peacock but it's great to be part of peacock but it's great to be part of this thanks so much rich nice thank you this thanks so much rich nice thank you this thanks so much rich nice thank you thank you for tuning in to this week's thank you for tuning in to this week's thank you for tuning in to this week's unseminary podcast don't be shy we'd unseminary podcast don't be shy we'd unseminary podcast don't be shy we'd love to connect check out unseminary love to connect check out unseminary love to connect check out unseminary inbox you can sign up at unseminary dcom inbox you can sign up at unseminary dcom inbox you can sign up at unseminary dcom and we'll send you helpful training and we'll send you helpful training and we'll send you helpful training resources every week plus you'll gain resources every week plus you'll gain resources every week plus you'll gain immediate access to our exclusive immediate access to our exclusive immediate access to our exclusive members area with tons of resources you members area with tons of resources you members area with tons of resources you can use connect with Rich on Twitter at can use connect with Rich on Twitter at can use connect with Rich on Twitter at Rich Birch or through email Rich at UNS Rich Birch or through email Rich at UNS Rich Birch or through email Rich at UNS seminary. don't forget to check out the seminary. don't forget to check out the seminary. don't forget to check out the show notes for this episode at show notes for this episode at show notes for this episode at unseminary docomo today's episode drop by iTunes docomo today's episode drop by iTunes and leave a review thank thanks again and leave a review thank thanks again and leave a review thank thanks again for tuning in to this week's unseminary for tuning in to this week's unseminary for tuning in to this week's unseminary podcast join us next week when we'll podcast join us next week when we'll podcast join us next week when we'll learn more stuff we wish they taught in learn more stuff we wish they taught in learn more stuff we wish they taught in seminary