Danny Anderson on Assuming the Leadership of a 29 Year Old Church When He Was 28

today's un Seminary resource is brought today's un Seminary resource is brought to you by aware three at aware three to you by aware three at aware three to you by aware three at aware three their goal is to help your church build their goal is to help your church build their goal is to help your church build connections using mobile technology they connections using mobile technology they connections using mobile technology they help you extend Church beyond Sunday help you extend Church beyond Sunday help you extend Church beyond Sunday mornings by putting it in the palm of mornings by putting it in the palm of mornings by putting it in the palm of everyone's hand learn more about how a everyone's hand learn more about how a everyone's hand learn more about how a custom mobile app can help you improve custom mobile app can help you improve custom mobile app can help you improve engagement communication and generosity engagement communication and generosity engagement communication and generosity at at at www. aware3 that's the number three.com www. aware3 that's the number three.com www. aware3 that's the number three.com ladies and welcome to the UN AR podcast ladies and welcome to the UN AR podcast ladies and welcome to the UN AR podcast are you looking for practical Ministry are you looking for practical Ministry are you looking for practical Ministry help to drive your ministry further help to drive your ministry further help to drive your ministry further faster have a sinking feeling that your faster have a sinking feeling that your faster have a sinking feeling that your ministry training didn't prepare you for ministry training didn't prepare you for ministry training didn't prepare you for the real world hey you're not alone join the real world hey you're not alone join the real world hey you're not alone join thousands of others in pursuit of stuff thousands of others in pursuit of stuff thousands of others in pursuit of stuff that we wish they had taught in seminary that we wish they had taught in seminary that we wish they had taught in seminary buckle up and let's get started with buckle up and let's get started with buckle up and let's get started with this week's unseminary podcast well hey this week's unseminary podcast well hey this week's unseminary podcast well hey everybody Welcome to the unseminary everybody Welcome to the unseminary everybody Welcome to the unseminary podcast my name's Rich the host around podcast my name's Rich the host around podcast my name's Rich the host around these parts thanks so much for serving these parts thanks so much for serving these parts thanks so much for serving at your church uh we know that you've at your church uh we know that you've at your church uh we know that you've got a really busy week this week and got a really busy week this week and got a really busy week this week and we're just honored that you would take we're just honored that you would take we're just honored that you would take some time out to listen in every week we some time out to listen in every week we some time out to listen in every week we try to have uh church leaders that have try to have uh church leaders that have try to have uh church leaders that have led in some unique situations to try to led in some unique situations to try to led in some unique situations to try to help us learn and grow uh in our help us learn and grow uh in our help us learn and grow uh in our situation and today I'm just honored uh situation and today I'm just honored uh situation and today I'm just honored uh so much to have Pastor Danny Anderson so much to have Pastor Danny Anderson so much to have Pastor Danny Anderson with us he's from Emanuel Church uh this with us he's from Emanuel Church uh this with us he's from Emanuel Church uh this church was was founded in by the church was was founded in by the church was was founded in by the founding Pastor Jim and you'll see why founding Pastor Jim and you'll see why founding Pastor Jim and you'll see why that's important here uh Jim uh Devy in that's important here uh Jim uh Devy in that's important here uh Jim uh Devy in 1977 and Danny Anderson who originally 1977 and Danny Anderson who originally 1977 and Danny Anderson who originally was emanuel's uh High School Pastor took was emanuel's uh High School Pastor took was emanuel's uh High School Pastor took over uh in 2006 this church continues to over uh in 2006 this church continues to over uh in 2006 this church continues to grow today uh 2013 became multi-site grow today uh 2013 became multi-site grow today uh 2013 became multi-site church so Danny welcome to the show it's

church so Danny welcome to the show it's church so Danny welcome to the show it's an honor thanks for having me Rich I'm an honor thanks for having me Rich I'm an honor thanks for having me Rich I'm so glad you're here uh today why don't so glad you're here uh today why don't so glad you're here uh today why don't you give us a sense of Emanuel Church you give us a sense of Emanuel Church you give us a sense of Emanuel Church kind of give us if people were to arrive kind of give us if people were to arrive kind of give us if people were to arrive uh this weekend what would they uh this weekend what would they uh this weekend what would they experience and kind of give us the your experience and kind of give us the your experience and kind of give us the your connection your story with this church connection your story with this church connection your story with this church yeah so I feel like if people walked yeah so I feel like if people walked yeah so I feel like if people walked into our church this weekend uh what into our church this weekend uh what into our church this weekend uh what they would experience is a welcoming they would experience is a welcoming they would experience is a welcoming environment it's very warm um it's uh environment it's very warm um it's uh environment it's very warm um it's uh it's it's a place that makes sense to it's it's a place that makes sense to it's it's a place that makes sense to people and we hear that a lot and uh our people and we hear that a lot and uh our people and we hear that a lot and uh our message our message is uh about life and message our message is uh about life and message our message is uh about life and how the Bible intersects with our lives how the Bible intersects with our lives how the Bible intersects with our lives and and uh the music is contemporary so and and uh the music is contemporary so and and uh the music is contemporary so it's uh it's relevant to to uh what's it's uh it's relevant to to uh what's it's uh it's relevant to to uh what's going on in our world today musically going on in our world today musically going on in our world today musically and uh yeah it's just uh it makes sense and uh yeah it's just uh it makes sense and uh yeah it's just uh it makes sense to people and and and the message is to people and and and the message is to people and and and the message is transformative and so we always trying transformative and so we always trying transformative and so we always trying to help people move from where they are to help people move from where they are to help people move from where they are to where God wants them to be so very to where God wants them to be so very to where God wants them to be so very cool well one of the things that caught cool well one of the things that caught cool well one of the things that caught my attention was at the age of 28 my attention was at the age of 28 my attention was at the age of 28 uh you ended up taking over from the uh you ended up taking over from the uh you ended up taking over from the founding Pastor who had founded the founding Pastor who had founded the founding Pastor who had founded the church 29 years before so the church was church 29 years before so the church was church 29 years before so the church was actually older than you uh and he had actually older than you uh and he had actually older than you uh and he had been there you know longer than you'd been there you know longer than you'd been there you know longer than you'd been alive man I want to hear that story been alive man I want to hear that story been alive man I want to hear that story uh kind of give me your connection how uh kind of give me your connection how uh kind of give me your connection how did you get connected originally as a did you get connected originally as a did you get connected originally as a youth pastor and let's try to talk youth pastor and let's try to talk youth pastor and let's try to talk through that uh transition well you know through that uh transition well you know through that uh transition well you know my story goes uh back to a woman I met my story goes uh back to a woman I met my story goes uh back to a woman I met my wife at Liberty University and uh I my wife at Liberty University and uh I my wife at Liberty University and uh I was at that time I was studying to be was at that time I was studying to be was at that time I was studying to be communication you know I was a communication you know I was a communication you know I was a Communications major I wasn't even in

Communications major I wasn't even in Communications major I wasn't even in seminary at Liberty um when we got seminary at Liberty um when we got seminary at Liberty um when we got married we got married atam manual married we got married atam manual married we got married atam manual because she grew up uh at the church and because she grew up uh at the church and because she grew up uh at the church and in the center Grove Greenwood area and in the center Grove Greenwood area and in the center Grove Greenwood area and uh kind of met the pastor at that time uh kind of met the pastor at that time uh kind of met the pastor at that time and you know six months later they were and you know six months later they were and you know six months later they were looking for a youth pastor and they looking for a youth pastor and they looking for a youth pastor and they actually went back to Liberty uh to kind actually went back to Liberty uh to kind actually went back to Liberty uh to kind of finish up a class and they called and of finish up a class and they called and of finish up a class and they called and they said hey would you come back for an they said hey would you come back for an they said hey would you come back for an interview uh in for the youth pastor interview uh in for the youth pastor interview uh in for the youth pastor position and so I you know I said position and so I you know I said position and so I you know I said goodness I'm 22 years old why not give goodness I'm 22 years old why not give goodness I'm 22 years old why not give it a shot right and I had done some it a shot right and I had done some it a shot right and I had done some youth ministry stuff you on the weekends youth ministry stuff you on the weekends youth ministry stuff you on the weekends at Liberty you know some discipleship at Liberty you know some discipleship at Liberty you know some discipleship now stuff and I really loved it and uh now stuff and I really loved it and uh now stuff and I really loved it and uh so I gave it a shot and one thing led to so I gave it a shot and one thing led to so I gave it a shot and one thing led to another and I really enjoyed it and and another and I really enjoyed it and and another and I really enjoyed it and and God used uh God used the ministry there God used uh God used the ministry there God used uh God used the ministry there to reach a lot of teenagers for Christ to reach a lot of teenagers for Christ to reach a lot of teenagers for Christ so that's kind of how things started as so that's kind of how things started as so that's kind of how things started as a youth pastor there wow that's amazing a youth pastor there wow that's amazing a youth pastor there wow that's amazing now at what point did the kind of now at what point did the kind of now at what point did the kind of conversation begin to shift um as uh conversation begin to shift um as uh conversation begin to shift um as uh your senior pastor started to think your senior pastor started to think your senior pastor started to think about his transition and what did that about his transition and what did that about his transition and what did that look like well it was kind of a it was look like well it was kind of a it was look like well it was kind of a it was It was kind of abrupt honestly I was It was kind of abrupt honestly I was It was kind of abrupt honestly I was sitting in my office one day and um you sitting in my office one day and um you sitting in my office one day and um you know he walked in and he you know he's know he walked in and he you know he's know he walked in and he you know he's he's a great guy God did wonderful he's a great guy God did wonderful he's a great guy God did wonderful things through through him over 29 years things through through him over 29 years things through through him over 29 years and the church was running like over and the church was running like over and the church was running like over 2,000 people at that time and uh but you 2,000 people at that time and uh but you 2,000 people at that time and uh but you know you could tell that he was he was know you could tell that he was he was know you could tell that he was he was starting to have feelings of of um at starting to have feelings of of um at starting to have feelings of of um at least those close to him he was starting least those close to him he was starting least those close to him he was starting to have feeling of wanting to move on to have feeling of wanting to move on to have feeling of wanting to move on and retire and so one day he walked into and retire and so one day he walked into and retire and so one day he walked into my office and uh just kind of shocked me

my office and uh just kind of shocked me my office and uh just kind of shocked me without any uh any uh NE prep he said without any uh any uh NE prep he said without any uh any uh NE prep he said you know I want you to pray about this you know I want you to pray about this you know I want you to pray about this uh I think you know I want you to uh I think you know I want you to uh I think you know I want you to replace me wow and I you know I want to replace me wow and I you know I want to replace me wow and I you know I want to do like a two-year kind of an overlap do like a two-year kind of an overlap do like a two-year kind of an overlap transition period and uh just kind of transition period and uh just kind of transition period and uh just kind of Boom dropped that sprung it on Boom dropped that sprung it on Boom dropped that sprung it on you so that kind of started the process you so that kind of started the process you so that kind of started the process and you know yeah from there wow so now and you know yeah from there wow so now and you know yeah from there wow so now what did the transition phase look like what did the transition phase look like what did the transition phase look like how did you kind of did you follow some how did you kind of did you follow some how did you kind of did you follow some steps what were the ups and downs of steps what were the ups and downs of steps what were the ups and downs of that process you know we wanted to and that process you know we wanted to and that process you know we wanted to and we intended to and we kind of had a plan we intended to and we kind of had a plan we intended to and we kind of had a plan that was put together and it was that was put together and it was that was put together and it was supposed to be this nice smooth thing supposed to be this nice smooth thing supposed to be this nice smooth thing that happened but I don't know if this that happened but I don't know if this that happened but I don't know if this is normal in churches it doesn't always is normal in churches it doesn't always is normal in churches it doesn't always kind of work out that way and so uh our kind of work out that way and so uh our kind of work out that way and so uh our plan kind of fell apart and things ended plan kind of fell apart and things ended plan kind of fell apart and things ended up getting a lot more condensed and uh up getting a lot more condensed and uh up getting a lot more condensed and uh so I ended up taking over uh as the so I ended up taking over uh as the so I ended up taking over uh as the senior pastor more quickly than uh the senior pastor more quickly than uh the senior pastor more quickly than uh the plan was designed and so uh it got a plan was designed and so uh it got a plan was designed and so uh it got a little messy and you know it just it little messy and you know it just it little messy and you know it just it there was a struggle there okay church there was a struggle there okay church there was a struggle there okay church church transitions can be a little bit church transitions can be a little bit church transitions can be a little bit ugly yeah well let's unpack that a ugly yeah well let's unpack that a ugly yeah well let's unpack that a little bit if you don't mind you know little bit if you don't mind you know little bit if you don't mind you know I'd love to hear a little more about I'd love to hear a little more about I'd love to hear a little more about that so we can you know try to help some that so we can you know try to help some that so we can you know try to help some other folks who are going through this other folks who are going through this other folks who are going through this is obviously a huge issue for um you is obviously a huge issue for um you is obviously a huge issue for um you know for churches what were some of know for churches what were some of know for churches what were some of those things you feel like hey this was those things you feel like hey this was those things you feel like hey this was a good step uh it was kind of heading in a good step uh it was kind of heading in a good step uh it was kind of heading in the right direction and then or you know the right direction and then or you know the right direction and then or you know were there some potholes that you're were there some potholes that you're were there some potholes that you're like okay I if I want to talk to other like okay I if I want to talk to other like okay I if I want to talk to other church leaders who are going through church leaders who are going through church leaders who are going through this here's some potholes to avoid well this here's some potholes to avoid well this here's some potholes to avoid well you know as a young guy at that time I

you know as a young guy at that time I you know as a young guy at that time I was 20 you know 27 years old and um you was 20 you know 27 years old and um you was 20 you know 27 years old and um you know I had um I guess a lot of it I know I had um I guess a lot of it I know I had um I guess a lot of it I would I would put on myself uh if I were would I would put on myself uh if I were would I would put on myself uh if I were to go back and do it again I would have to go back and do it again I would have to go back and do it again I would have um honored him a ton more you know the um honored him a ton more you know the um honored him a ton more you know the founding guy people loved him they founding guy people loved him they founding guy people loved him they adored him um you know he's the guy that adored him um you know he's the guy that adored him um you know he's the guy that fought the battles he's the one who fought the battles he's the one who fought the battles he's the one who who's bled for all these years and and who's bled for all these years and and who's bled for all these years and and won these victories and led the church won these victories and led the church won these victories and led the church to to do great things and I wasn't as to to do great things and I wasn't as to to do great things and I wasn't as honoring uh to him as I should have been honoring uh to him as I should have been honoring uh to him as I should have been and so there were some things that I had and so there were some things that I had and so there were some things that I had said um uh that that hurt you know hurt said um uh that that hurt you know hurt said um uh that that hurt you know hurt feelings and and things happen like that feelings and and things happen like that feelings and and things happen like that um and so that kind of caused him to um and so that kind of caused him to um and so that kind of caused him to kind of drift away a little bit and kind kind of drift away a little bit and kind kind of drift away a little bit and kind of unplug and not really support me and of unplug and not really support me and of unplug and not really support me and then but the thing was already going so then but the thing was already going so then but the thing was already going so you know we had to keep keep things you you know we had to keep keep things you you know we had to keep keep things you know looking good on the outside but know looking good on the outside but know looking good on the outside but behind the scenes there was this tension behind the scenes there was this tension behind the scenes there was this tension so on my side of things I would have I so on my side of things I would have I so on my side of things I would have I would have been a lot more honoring to would have been a lot more honoring to would have been a lot more honoring to him and um but you know there there were him and um but you know there there were him and um but you know there there were there were it was it was a difficult we there were it was it was a difficult we there were it was it was a difficult we we didn't really have a mapped out plan we didn't really have a mapped out plan we didn't really have a mapped out plan like we should have we should have had like we should have we should have had like we should have we should have had steps and I you know I've done a little steps and I you know I've done a little steps and I you know I've done a little research on this most senior pastors who research on this most senior pastors who research on this most senior pastors who are transitioning they don't have a plan are transitioning they don't have a plan are transitioning they don't have a plan right right it's it's and that's a right right it's it's and that's a right right it's it's and that's a that's a big part of the problem what that's a big part of the problem what that's a big part of the problem what are those steps that that we need to are those steps that that we need to are those steps that that we need to take and so I would encourage pastors take and so I would encourage pastors take and so I would encourage pastors who are thinking about transitioning uh

who are thinking about transitioning uh who are thinking about transitioning uh or younger pastors who are about to or younger pastors who are about to or younger pastors who are about to transition to really work on a transition to really work on a transition to really work on a step-by-step plan because it is step-by-step plan because it is step-by-step plan because it is absolutely essential to have that or absolutely essential to have that or absolutely essential to have that or else things can really get you know get else things can really get you know get else things can really get you know get ugly right now did you bring any kind of ugly right now did you bring any kind of ugly right now did you bring any kind of outside help to with this process or did outside help to with this process or did outside help to with this process or did you you know kind of just you know Dream you you know kind of just you know Dream you you know kind of just you know Dream It Up by yourself or what would did that It Up by yourself or what would did that It Up by yourself or what would did that look like you know at that time we did look like you know at that time we did look like you know at that time we did not it was kind of created by the not it was kind of created by the not it was kind of created by the founding pastor and um he had an idea of founding pastor and um he had an idea of founding pastor and um he had an idea of wanting to kind of be uh to stay on wanting to kind of be uh to stay on wanting to kind of be uh to stay on staff and that this was really the point staff and that this was really the point staff and that this was really the point of of tension um he wanted to kind of of of tension um he wanted to kind of of of tension um he wanted to kind of stay stay close and and uh maybe have an stay stay close and and uh maybe have an stay stay close and and uh maybe have an office in the building and I knew enough office in the building and I knew enough office in the building and I knew enough about leadership at that point that uh about leadership at that point that uh about leadership at that point that uh that's just not going to work especially that's just not going to work especially that's just not going to work especially as the founding Pastor people would as the founding Pastor people would as the founding Pastor people would never fully be able to look to me as the never fully be able to look to me as the never fully be able to look to me as the new as the new senior pastor and so that new as the new senior pastor and so that new as the new senior pastor and so that was really the rub there and our elders was really the rub there and our elders was really the rub there and our elders kind of sided with me on that um and kind of sided with me on that um and kind of sided with me on that um and then it just you know he felt pushed out then it just you know he felt pushed out then it just you know he felt pushed out and he wasn't but that's the feeling and he wasn't but that's the feeling and he wasn't but that's the feeling that he he got and so um it what ended that he he got and so um it what ended that he he got and so um it what ended up happening was he ended up taking a up happening was he ended up taking a up happening was he ended up taking a church 13 miles up the road okay and church 13 miles up the road okay and church 13 miles up the road okay and that that made things very interesting that that made things very interesting that that made things very interesting for Emanuel moving forward um so that for Emanuel moving forward um so that for Emanuel moving forward um so that caused all kinds of struggles but in the caused all kinds of struggles but in the caused all kinds of struggles but in the long run it ended up being a good thing long run it ended up being a good thing long run it ended up being a good thing was uh we had a different Vision we had was uh we had a different Vision we had was uh we had a different Vision we had a I mean so the people that didn't want a I mean so the people that didn't want a I mean so the people that didn't want to be part of a new vision had a place to be part of a new vision had a place to be part of a new vision had a place to go know at the time it hurt like heck

to go know at the time it hurt like heck to go know at the time it hurt like heck right because you're losing we went from right because you're losing we went from right because you're losing we went from about 2,000 to 900 wow because a lot of about 2,000 to 900 wow because a lot of about 2,000 to 900 wow because a lot of those folks followed him to the to the those folks followed him to the to the those folks followed him to the to the new church and um and some didn't but new church and um and some didn't but new church and um and some didn't but they were confused about the whole they were confused about the whole they were confused about the whole situation and who to believe and who to situation and who to believe and who to situation and who to believe and who to trust and did I do him wrong or or what trust and did I do him wrong or or what trust and did I do him wrong or or what and so it just got real messy so now it and so it just got real messy so now it and so it just got real messy so now it kind of take me inside at that point so kind of take me inside at that point so kind of take me inside at that point so kind of attendance is in a bit of a kind of attendance is in a bit of a kind of attendance is in a bit of a freef fall people are shifting there was freef fall people are shifting there was freef fall people are shifting there was obviously been a change in plan it went obviously been a change in plan it went obviously been a change in plan it went from like hey I'm going to retire to from like hey I'm going to retire to from like hey I'm going to retire to like well actually no I'm going to go to like well actually no I'm going to go to like well actually no I'm going to go to this church you know 13 miles down the this church you know 13 miles down the this church you know 13 miles down the road um you know what was going on you road um you know what was going on you road um you know what was going on you know on your inter interior at that know on your inter interior at that know on your inter interior at that point um and what did you learn how did point um and what did you learn how did point um and what did you learn how did you kind of um you know process through you kind of um you know process through you kind of um you know process through that experience yeah you know inside I that experience yeah you know inside I that experience yeah you know inside I thought um I have no idea what I'm doing thought um I have no idea what I'm doing thought um I have no idea what I'm doing I'm failing uh I'm I maybe this is not I'm failing uh I'm I maybe this is not I'm failing uh I'm I maybe this is not for me maybe I'm not called you know for me maybe I'm not called you know for me maybe I'm not called you know every Sunday I'm watching attendance go every Sunday I'm watching attendance go every Sunday I'm watching attendance go down I mean literally every Sunday I'm down I mean literally every Sunday I'm down I mean literally every Sunday I'm looking behind me and there's less and looking behind me and there's less and looking behind me and there's less and less people and I'm thinking am I less people and I'm thinking am I less people and I'm thinking am I destroying this church you know and I destroying this church you know and I destroying this church you know and I was thinking that from time to time so was thinking that from time to time so was thinking that from time to time so you know it really was um I've never had you know it really was um I've never had you know it really was um I've never had a major failure in my life like that a major failure in my life like that a major failure in my life like that like I felt that like this I'm totally like I felt that like this I'm totally like I felt that like this I'm totally blowing this um so I had to uh you know blowing this um so I had to uh you know blowing this um so I had to uh you know I leaned heavily into our elders and if I leaned heavily into our elders and if I leaned heavily into our elders and if I would encourage any Pastor who's going I would encourage any Pastor who's going I would encourage any Pastor who's going through a transition or taking over for through a transition or taking over for through a transition or taking over for a senior pastor to to get the Buy in of a senior pastor to to get the Buy in of a senior pastor to to get the Buy in of their Elders because without their their Elders because without their their Elders because without their strength and support you're just not

strength and support you're just not strength and support you're just not going to make it you're going to quit going to make it you're going to quit going to make it you're going to quit you're going to give up um and so they you're going to give up um and so they you're going to give up um and so they they were very affirming to me very they were very affirming to me very they were very affirming to me very supportive they said hey we believe in supportive they said hey we believe in supportive they said hey we believe in this new vision stay the course and so I this new vision stay the course and so I this new vision stay the course and so I did a lot of that but also in my did a lot of that but also in my did a lot of that but also in my personal life my prayer life uh deepened personal life my prayer life uh deepened personal life my prayer life uh deepened um you know I really had to ask as um you know I really had to ask as um you know I really had to ask as myself the myself the myself the question do I want question do I want question do I want to make disciples because this is really to make disciples because this is really to make disciples because this is really difficult and if I don't really want to difficult and if I don't really want to difficult and if I don't really want to make disciples I'm I might I'm gonna make disciples I'm I might I'm gonna make disciples I'm I might I'm gonna quit because there's nothing good about quit because there's nothing good about quit because there's nothing good about this right now and it was like that for this right now and it was like that for this right now and it was like that for about a year and a half wow uh it was a about a year and a half wow uh it was a about a year and a half wow uh it was a long time so uh yeah so I just really it long time so uh yeah so I just really it long time so uh yeah so I just really it was a good thing for me because it made was a good thing for me because it made was a good thing for me because it made me look into my heart and ask the really me look into my heart and ask the really me look into my heart and ask the really hard questions of do I really want to be hard questions of do I really want to be hard questions of do I really want to be a pastor and make disciples and the a pastor and make disciples and the a pastor and make disciples and the answer was yes so that made me stick it answer was yes so that made me stick it answer was yes so that made me stick it out it's like I really want to do this out it's like I really want to do this out it's like I really want to do this and regardless of what happens if the and regardless of what happens if the and regardless of what happens if the church grows or or if we reach thousands church grows or or if we reach thousands church grows or or if we reach thousands of people and blah blah because I had of people and blah blah because I had of people and blah blah because I had all these dreams you know when you're all these dreams you know when you're all these dreams you know when you're young you're 26 years old you're young you're 26 years old you're young you're 26 years old you're thinking I'm going to take over and the thinking I'm going to take over and the thinking I'm going to take over and the church is going to go from 2,000 to to church is going to go from 2,000 to to church is going to go from 2,000 to to to 3,000 in a year and it just none of to 3,000 in a year and it just none of to 3,000 in a year and it just none of happened right exactly so wow that's happened right exactly so wow that's happened right exactly so wow that's that's amazing so now I think a lot of that's amazing so now I think a lot of that's amazing so now I think a lot of times we think about casting Vision or times we think about casting Vision or times we think about casting Vision or kind of articulating a Preferred Future kind of articulating a Preferred Future kind of articulating a Preferred Future um you know we do that when we talk um you know we do that when we talk um you know we do that when we talk about you know we we kind of cast a about you know we we kind of cast a about you know we we kind of cast a vision and the assumption is like oh

vision and the assumption is like oh vision and the assumption is like oh things are going to go great I'm going things are going to go great I'm going things are going to go great I'm going to cast this Vision people are going to to cast this Vision people are going to to cast this Vision people are going to rally and what were some of the you know rally and what were some of the you know rally and what were some of the you know differences in Vision that you were differences in Vision that you were differences in Vision that you were trying to cast and what was happening in trying to cast and what was happening in trying to cast and what was happening in the midst of that your kind of you know the midst of that your kind of you know the midst of that your kind of you know in a bit of a freef fall you're casting in a bit of a freef fall you're casting in a bit of a freef fall you're casting a vision you know looking to the Future a vision you know looking to the Future a vision you know looking to the Future um how were you able to kind of stay on um how were you able to kind of stay on um how were you able to kind of stay on that path um even in the midst of you that path um even in the midst of you that path um even in the midst of you know some tough times sure so the know some tough times sure so the know some tough times sure so the differences in the vision your first differences in the vision your first differences in the vision your first question there was we were a very question there was we were a very question there was we were a very traditional chist uh inner focused traditional chist uh inner focused traditional chist uh inner focused church I mean it was a good church for a church I mean it was a good church for a church I mean it was a good church for a Christian they got good Biblical Christian they got good Biblical Christian they got good Biblical teaching the music was geared towards teaching the music was geared towards teaching the music was geared towards Christians and I just had I was more of Christians and I just had I was more of Christians and I just had I was more of a I learned from Bill hbl's you know a I learned from Bill hbl's you know a I learned from Bill hbl's you know let's turn IR religious people into let's turn IR religious people into let's turn IR religious people into fully devoted followers of Christ let's fully devoted followers of Christ let's fully devoted followers of Christ let's Reach people who are not Christians so Reach people who are not Christians so Reach people who are not Christians so our vision was different we were more our vision was different we were more our vision was different we were more focused on those who weren't there so focused on those who weren't there so focused on those who weren't there so that was a big turn off to a lot of that was a big turn off to a lot of that was a big turn off to a lot of people um and uh Rich sorry what was people um and uh Rich sorry what was people um and uh Rich sorry what was your second question there the second your second question there the second your second question there the second question was how did you kind of stay question was how did you kind of stay question was how did you kind of stay focused or maybe it's maybe it's a focused or maybe it's maybe it's a focused or maybe it's maybe it's a littleit a little crisper question how littleit a little crisper question how littleit a little crisper question how did you kind of cast that Vision even in did you kind of cast that Vision even in did you kind of cast that Vision even in the midst of you know a bit of the the the midst of you know a bit of the the the midst of you know a bit of the the shrinking and the you know the shrinking and the you know the shrinking and the you know the refinement that was happening yeah so um refinement that was happening yeah so um refinement that was happening yeah so um I I really am a big Andy Stanley fan and I I really am a big Andy Stanley fan and I I really am a big Andy Stanley fan and uh he wrote a little book called making uh he wrote a little book called making uh he wrote a little book called making Vision stick and he had four or five Vision stick and he had four or five Vision stick and he had four or five really good points I don't know if really good points I don't know if really good points I don't know if you've seen that book if you haven't or you've seen that book if you haven't or you've seen that book if you haven't or yeah it's it's fantastic and uh one of yeah it's it's fantastic and uh one of yeah it's it's fantastic and uh one of the the first things he says in that the the first things he says in that the the first things he says in that book is to State it simply State the book is to State it simply State the book is to State it simply State the vision simply cast it convincingly um

vision simply cast it convincingly um vision simply cast it convincingly um and so we started to we did that we came and so we started to we did that we came and so we started to we did that we came up with this Vision uh we exist to see up with this Vision uh we exist to see up with this Vision uh we exist to see people come to Christ and grow in Christ people come to Christ and grow in Christ people come to Christ and grow in Christ and we would say it and we would say it and we would say it and we would say it and we would say it and we would say it and I started we would do series on it and I started we would do series on it and I started we would do series on it and then we would tell stories about how and then we would tell stories about how and then we would tell stories about how uh it was happening and that you know uh it was happening and that you know uh it was happening and that you know Andy in the book he says you have to Andy in the book he says you have to Andy in the book he says you have to celebrate it you the vision and the best celebrate it you the vision and the best celebrate it you the vision and the best way to do that is to you know tell way to do that is to you know tell way to do that is to you know tell people stories this is a person who people stories this is a person who people stories this is a person who wasn't a Christ follower then they wasn't a Christ follower then they wasn't a Christ follower then they became a Christ follower here's their became a Christ follower here's their became a Christ follower here's their name here's how it happened and we just name here's how it happened and we just name here's how it happened and we just started doing that over and over and and started doing that over and over and and started doing that over and over and and before I knew it people were getting it before I knew it people were getting it before I knew it people were getting it they were starting to buy in even though they were starting to buy in even though they were starting to buy in even though all this other stuff was going on it was all this other stuff was going on it was all this other stuff was going on it was like Wow people's lives are being like Wow people's lives are being like Wow people's lives are being changed and one thing I realized that changed and one thing I realized that changed and one thing I realized that you cannot argue with with life Chang oh you cannot argue with with life Chang oh you cannot argue with with life Chang oh so true I mean when it's happening you so true I mean when it's happening you so true I mean when it's happening you could say this about this person or this could say this about this person or this could say this about this person or this about but people start to pay attention about but people start to pay attention about but people start to pay attention they start to invite their friends and they start to invite their friends and they start to invite their friends and so you know I just kept beating that so you know I just kept beating that so you know I just kept beating that drum and then we got kind of creative drum and then we got kind of creative drum and then we got kind of creative with it um like one time uh one of our with it um like one time uh one of our with it um like one time uh one of our staff members had this idea to pull out staff members had this idea to pull out staff members had this idea to pull out all of the pages out of a phone book I all of the pages out of a phone book I all of the pages out of a phone book I mean thousands and thousands right we mean thousands and thousands right we mean thousands and thousands right we covered the entire floor of the covered the entire floor of the covered the entire floor of the auditorium and and we had people you auditorium and and we had people you auditorium and and we had people you know step on them during the service and know step on them during the service and know step on them during the service and we said what are those pages we said what are those pages we said what are those pages representative of and they're all the representative of and they're all the representative of and they're all the names of the people that lived in our names of the people that lived in our names of the people that lived in our area um and they are the people that area um and they are the people that area um and they are the people that we're trying to reach and then and then

we're trying to reach and then and then we're trying to reach and then and then another thing we did that was still with another thing we did that was still with another thing we did that was still with us today is we said take two or three us today is we said take two or three us today is we said take two or three names of people that live in your names of people that live in your names of people that live in your neighborhood your friends your family neighborhood your friends your family neighborhood your friends your family your co-workers and let's write them your co-workers and let's write them your co-workers and let's write them somewhere in our somewhere in our somewhere in our Auditorium literally in our auditoriums Auditorium literally in our auditoriums Auditorium literally in our auditoriums we have three campuses one is in a high we have three campuses one is in a high we have three campuses one is in a high middle school so we can't do it yet middle school so we can't do it yet middle school so we can't do it yet there because how we there because how we there because how we vandalism we challenge our people to vandalism we challenge our people to vandalism we challenge our people to write the names on the stage and on the write the names on the stage and on the write the names on the stage and on the walls of the auditorium so that every walls of the auditorium so that every walls of the auditorium so that every weekend they know who they we here to weekend they know who they we here to weekend they know who they we here to reach and so it's a visible reminder and reach and so it's a visible reminder and reach and so it's a visible reminder and so we just get creative and we cast that so we just get creative and we cast that so we just get creative and we cast that vision and we make sure it's vision and we make sure it's vision and we make sure it's simple remember you know Andy talks simple remember you know Andy talks simple remember you know Andy talks about it has got to be memorable about it has got to be memorable about it has got to be memorable MH very cool very cool now um obviously MH very cool very cool now um obviously MH very cool very cool now um obviously you're still there so something happened you're still there so something happened you're still there so something happened right you know things I'm assuming at right you know things I'm assuming at right you know things I'm assuming at some point the kind of the leakage uh some point the kind of the leakage uh some point the kind of the leakage uh the you know shrinking stopped and then the you know shrinking stopped and then the you know shrinking stopped and then it turned around yeah um and tell us it turned around yeah um and tell us it turned around yeah um and tell us about that story what kind of what did about that story what kind of what did about that story what kind of what did that look like yeah so around 2006 I that look like yeah so around 2006 I that look like yeah so around 2006 I right 2006 I took over things went right 2006 I took over things went right 2006 I took over things went downhill around 2008 we started to downhill around 2008 we started to downhill around 2008 we started to notice that people were bringing their notice that people were bringing their notice that people were bringing their friends and uh and it was because we friends and uh and it was because we friends and uh and it was because we were talking about everything I just were talking about everything I just were talking about everything I just mentioned you know we were casting that mentioned you know we were casting that mentioned you know we were casting that vision I and I personally embrace the vision I and I personally embrace the vision I and I personally embrace the vision so you know I try to lead people vision so you know I try to lead people vision so you know I try to lead people to Christ in my personal life that's so to Christ in my personal life that's so to Christ in my personal life that's so important for pastors to do man if important for pastors to do man if important for pastors to do man if you're not a pastor doing personal you're not a pastor doing personal you're not a pastor doing personal evangelism you can't you can't expect evangelism you can't you can't expect evangelism you can't you can't expect your people to do it so I would just your people to do it so I would just your people to do it so I would just throw that in there but so I was leading

throw that in there but so I was leading throw that in there but so I was leading people to Christ and then I would tell people to Christ and then I would tell people to Christ and then I would tell their stories and and so momentum their stories and and so momentum their stories and and so momentum started to build and at that point um we started to build and at that point um we started to build and at that point um we realized we we needed to expand our realized we we needed to expand our realized we we needed to expand our Auditorium we needed to remodel and so Auditorium we needed to remodel and so Auditorium we needed to remodel and so um we uh we engaged a builder uh I don't um we uh we engaged a builder uh I don't um we uh we engaged a builder uh I don't know if people have heard of Aspen I'm know if people have heard of Aspen I'm know if people have heard of Aspen I'm sure they had they build Church sure they had they build Church sure they had they build Church buildings and uh the president his name buildings and uh the president his name buildings and uh the president his name is Ed Baylor is's a good friend of mine is Ed Baylor is's a good friend of mine is Ed Baylor is's a good friend of mine now um we brought him in and he he came now um we brought him in and he he came now um we brought him in and he he came in and he said you're still not ready to in and he said you're still not ready to in and he said you're still not ready to build you you have to you have to build you you have to you have to build you you have to you have to get uh an understanding of the psyche of get uh an understanding of the psyche of get uh an understanding of the psyche of your people there's momentum but you your people there's momentum but you your people there's momentum but you still got to figure things out uh in still got to figure things out uh in still got to figure things out uh in their hearts you know there and so we their hearts you know there and so we their hearts you know there and so we hired a consultant uh organization hired a consultant uh organization hired a consultant uh organization called tag um and they came in and they called tag um and they came in and they called tag um and they came in and they basically did a survey churchwide survey basically did a survey churchwide survey basically did a survey churchwide survey of where are the hearts of our people of where are the hearts of our people of where are the hearts of our people like what are they what are they like what are they what are they like what are they what are they struggling with and what happened was struggling with and what happened was struggling with and what happened was there was still a lot of pain left over there was still a lot of pain left over there was still a lot of pain left over from the transition right and so we got from the transition right and so we got from the transition right and so we got this churchwide survey we got all these this churchwide survey we got all these this churchwide survey we got all these answers back and it gave us as Leaders answers back and it gave us as Leaders answers back and it gave us as Leaders the opportunity to know how to lead our the opportunity to know how to lead our the opportunity to know how to lead our people totally and so before we started people totally and so before we started people totally and so before we started saying Hey give money to this give money saying Hey give money to this give money saying Hey give money to this give money to that let's build this you know we to that let's build this you know we to that let's build this you know we want to jump to that as Church church want to jump to that as Church church want to jump to that as Church church leaders because that's right exactly but leaders because that's right exactly but leaders because that's right exactly but uh we understood the heart of our people uh we understood the heart of our people uh we understood the heart of our people and the biggest thing we got from that and the biggest thing we got from that and the biggest thing we got from that survey was that our people felt like survey was that our people felt like survey was that our people felt like you're not communicating with us you're you're not communicating with us you're you're not communicating with us you're not telling us what's going on you're not telling us what's going on you're not telling us what's going on you're not you know and they wanted to know not you know and they wanted to know not you know and they wanted to know more so we just ramped that up We R the more so we just ramped that up We R the more so we just ramped that up We R the communication up and started telling

communication up and started telling communication up and started telling them like we you always think you're them like we you always think you're them like we you always think you're saying it enough right the inside but we saying it enough right the inside but we saying it enough right the inside but we never are no so we just ramped it up never are no so we just ramped it up never are no so we just ramped it up even more and and uh so then we we ended even more and and uh so then we we ended even more and and uh so then we we ended up doing a project after that with aspin up doing a project after that with aspin up doing a project after that with aspin and we remodeled our a our Auditorium and we remodeled our a our Auditorium and we remodeled our a our Auditorium replaced the pews with with nice uh you replaced the pews with with nice uh you replaced the pews with with nice uh you know stadium seating and um we redid our know stadium seating and um we redid our know stadium seating and um we redid our our lobby and our children's wing and our lobby and our children's wing and our lobby and our children's wing and that brought a surge of new people the that brought a surge of new people the that brought a surge of new people the the excitement you know people were the excitement you know people were the excitement you know people were proud to bring their friends would proud to bring their friends would proud to bring their friends would couple that with the vision um we saw a couple that with the vision um we saw a couple that with the vision um we saw a surgeon attendance so we probably went surgeon attendance so we probably went surgeon attendance so we probably went at that point from you know from where at that point from you know from where at that point from you know from where we were back up to 2000 and then beyond we were back up to 2000 and then beyond we were back up to 2000 and then beyond that that and then then we saw a steady that that and then then we saw a steady that that and then then we saw a steady growth for you know about I would say growth for you know about I would say growth for you know about I would say two more years of about you know 500 two more years of about you know 500 two more years of about you know 500 people or so y i he and uh and that led people or so y i he and uh and that led people or so y i he and uh and that led us into the next phase which was the us into the next phase which was the us into the next phase which was the multi-side phase wow those discussions multi-side phase wow those discussions multi-side phase wow those discussions yeah so now at that point so this is yeah so now at that point so this is yeah so now at that point so this is incredible that's an incredible incredible that's an incredible incredible that's an incredible turnaround and I you know I I think turnaround and I you know I I think turnaround and I you know I I think hopefully there's there may be leaders hopefully there's there may be leaders hopefully there's there may be leaders that are listening in today that are in that are listening in today that are in that are listening in today that are in that you know that phase where things that you know that phase where things that you know that phase where things are are are maybe in Decline and I'm are are are maybe in Decline and I'm are are are maybe in Decline and I'm hoping you know you'll you've listened hoping you know you'll you've listened hoping you know you'll you've listened in on some of the things today I love in on some of the things today I love in on some of the things today I love that you're talking about you know that you're talking about you know that you're talking about you know Clarity and that you personally were Clarity and that you personally were Clarity and that you personally were living the vision I think so many times living the vision I think so many times living the vision I think so many times you know church leaders we love to you know church leaders we love to you know church leaders we love to import import our vision on other people import import our vision on other people import import our vision on other people but it's not impacting us it's not but it's not impacting us it's not but it's not impacting us it's not really integrated into our lives um so really integrated into our lives um so really integrated into our lives um so then you know you kind of ended up in then you know you kind of ended up in then you know you kind of ended up in this new phase you're looking multi-site

this new phase you're looking multi-site this new phase you're looking multi-site you're having to you know I'm assuming you're having to you know I'm assuming you're having to you know I'm assuming raise resources you know in the midst of raise resources you know in the midst of raise resources you know in the midst of all that how did that happen and I'd all that how did that happen and I'd all that how did that happen and I'd love to hear that story because you know love to hear that story because you know love to hear that story because you know you went from you know a little bit of a you went from you know a little bit of a you went from you know a little bit of a a lead that people you know were having a lead that people you know were having a lead that people you know were having trouble following you know documented trouble following you know documented trouble following you know documented evidence they're saying hey you're not evidence they're saying hey you're not evidence they're saying hey you're not communicating to us to then having to communicating to us to then having to communicating to us to then having to raise money and send volunteers out to raise money and send volunteers out to raise money and send volunteers out to launch a new campus what was that launch a new campus what was that launch a new campus what was that process like when you stepped out uh to process like when you stepped out uh to process like when you stepped out uh to raise some additional resources well you raise some additional resources well you raise some additional resources well you know we really are a learning Church know we really are a learning Church know we really are a learning Church like we just take a learning posture we like we just take a learning posture we like we just take a learning posture we we're honest enough to say we don't know we're honest enough to say we don't know we're honest enough to say we don't know how to do things and I never forget I how to do things and I never forget I how to do things and I never forget I read a book called humilitas by John read a book called humilitas by John read a book called humilitas by John Dixon and he said you know what you Dixon and he said you know what you Dixon and he said you know what you don't know far outweighs what you do don't know far outweighs what you do don't know far outweighs what you do know and I just love that quote and so know and I just love that quote and so know and I just love that quote and so we hired a consultant again we said hey we hired a consultant again we said hey we hired a consultant again we said hey we don't know how to raise money so uh we don't know how to raise money so uh we don't know how to raise money so uh we we found jys which is a great great we we found jys which is a great great we we found jys which is a great great company and I'm sure a lot of the guys company and I'm sure a lot of the guys company and I'm sure a lot of the guys have heard of that um and they helped me have heard of that um and they helped me have heard of that um and they helped me understand and walk through the process understand and walk through the process understand and walk through the process of how to do a capital campaign and of how to do a capital campaign and of how to do a capital campaign and raise Mill you know a couple million raise Mill you know a couple million raise Mill you know a couple million dollars for for a project and and uh so dollars for for a project and and uh so dollars for for a project and and uh so I I I got three things here that that I I I I got three things here that that I I I I got three things here that that I would say to that is number one hire a would say to that is number one hire a would say to that is number one hire a consultant you know if if you don't know consultant you know if if you don't know consultant you know if if you don't know and the big thing about that was it gave and the big thing about that was it gave and the big thing about that was it gave me courage right I mean it absolutely me courage right I mean it absolutely me courage right I mean it absolutely gave me this okay I can do this kind of gave me this okay I can do this kind of gave me this okay I can do this kind of because it gives you the Practical because it gives you the Practical because it gives you the Practical knowhow and then you have to execute the knowhow and then you have to execute the knowhow and then you have to execute the plan and that's I mean it's one thing to plan and that's I mean it's one thing to plan and that's I mean it's one thing to get a plan and then you got do it get a plan and then you got do it get a plan and then you got do it somebody's actually got to do the work

somebody's actually got to do the work somebody's actually got to do the work yeah so I remember our first our first yeah so I remember our first our first yeah so I remember our first our first uh Capital campaign we I mean there was uh Capital campaign we I mean there was uh Capital campaign we I mean there was probably a three or four week phase probably a three or four week phase probably a three or four week phase there where I was with a small group there where I was with a small group there where I was with a small group every night of the week right casting every night of the week right casting every night of the week right casting this Vision to the small group leaders this Vision to the small group leaders this Vision to the small group leaders and the small group members and then we and the small group members and then we and the small group members and then we did the series and then you know then we did the series and then you know then we did the series and then you know then we did the you know the pledge card and it did the you know the pledge card and it did the you know the pledge card and it was a it was a ton of work you know and was a it was a ton of work you know and was a it was a ton of work you know and so you got to be ready to execute on so you got to be ready to execute on so you got to be ready to execute on that and then the third thing that I that and then the third thing that I that and then the third thing that I think this this uh so invaluable for me think this this uh so invaluable for me think this this uh so invaluable for me um the the guy I was working with his um the the guy I was working with his um the the guy I was working with his name's Brad leaper he said you have to name's Brad leaper he said you have to name's Brad leaper he said you have to build personal relationships with your build personal relationships with your build personal relationships with your high-capacity donors in fact you would high-capacity donors in fact you would high-capacity donors in fact you would have to disciple them and it clicked it have to disciple them and it clicked it have to disciple them and it clicked it clicked with me like these people they clicked with me like these people they clicked with me like these people they need they need to become like Christ need they need to become like Christ need they need to become like Christ just like everybody else right and so I just like everybody else right and so I just like everybody else right and so I engaged in that I threw myself into that engaged in that I threw myself into that engaged in that I threw myself into that and I'll just tell you this really quick and I'll just tell you this really quick and I'll just tell you this really quick and I don't say to brag at all this is and I don't say to brag at all this is and I don't say to brag at all this is God to God's glory but we're getting God to God's glory but we're getting God to God's glory but we're getting ready to to to build our third our third ready to to to build our third our third ready to to to build our third our third site temporary site now it's meeting in site temporary site now it's meeting in site temporary site now it's meeting in a middle school and it's going to be a middle school and it's going to be a middle school and it's going to be about 7 million bucks or something like about 7 million bucks or something like about 7 million bucks or something like and so uh I'm engaging these and so uh I'm engaging these and so uh I'm engaging these relationships that I've built over seven relationships that I've built over seven relationships that I've built over seven years y already given gifts and uh last years y already given gifts and uh last years y already given gifts and uh last week we received a gift uh a commitment week we received a gift uh a commitment week we received a gift uh a commitment hasn't yet of 600,000 from one family hasn't yet of 600,000 from one family hasn't yet of 600,000 from one family wow and we already got a gift from wow and we already got a gift from wow and we already got a gift from another family of 500,000 wow that's another family of 500,000 wow that's another family of 500,000 wow that's amazing from two of those families um we amazing from two of those families um we amazing from two of those families um we we're you know a seventh of the way

we're you know a seventh of the way we're you know a seventh of the way there or more and and that's just the there or more and and that's just the there or more and and that's just the power of relationship that would have power of relationship that would have power of relationship that would have never happened eight years ago I just never happened eight years ago I just never happened eight years ago I just didn't have those relationships didn't have those relationships didn't have those relationships absolutely all of the trust that has absolutely all of the trust that has absolutely all of the trust that has been built over these years um it's just been built over these years um it's just been built over these years um it's just it's so valuable absolutely you know I it's so valuable absolutely you know I it's so valuable absolutely you know I just want to lean in on that just want to lean in on that just want to lean in on that particularly that last part about particularly that last part about particularly that last part about developing relationships there's a developing relationships there's a developing relationships there's a number of church leaders who would number of church leaders who would number of church leaders who would listen in and say I don't even want to listen in and say I don't even want to listen in and say I don't even want to know who gives what to my church you know who gives what to my church you know who gives what to my church you know I I don't want to have any I and know I I don't want to have any I and know I I don't want to have any I and and they almost come at it from a um If and they almost come at it from a um If and they almost come at it from a um If we're honest like almost like a we're honest like almost like a we're honest like almost like a spiritual you know superiority point of spiritual you know superiority point of spiritual you know superiority point of view like oh I don't need to know those view like oh I don't need to know those view like oh I don't need to know those things um what would you say to a church things um what would you say to a church things um what would you say to a church leader who says that um because leader who says that um because leader who says that um because obviously if you're leaning in with obviously if you're leaning in with obviously if you're leaning in with because I I absolutely agree with what because I I absolutely agree with what because I I absolutely agree with what you're saying if you're leaning in with you're saying if you're leaning in with you're saying if you're leaning in with with kind of core donors then you with kind of core donors then you with kind of core donors then you obviously have a sense of that data and obviously have a sense of that data and obviously have a sense of that data and you know are using that data ultimately you know are using that data ultimately you know are using that data ultimately to to drive a discipleship outcome what to to drive a discipleship outcome what to to drive a discipleship outcome what would you say to a leader who says that would you say to a leader who says that would you say to a leader who says that today sure and I would say I would say today sure and I would say I would say today sure and I would say I would say uh that's unfortunate if you're in if uh that's unfortunate if you're in if uh that's unfortunate if you're in if you're at that position because making you're at that position because making you're at that position because making money I learned this from Bill hibl in a money I learned this from Bill hibl in a money I learned this from Bill hibl in a in an audio program CD he did one time in an audio program CD he did one time in an audio program CD he did one time uh it is a gift uh it is a gift uh it is a gift it is an absolute gift some people have it is an absolute gift some people have it is an absolute gift some people have the have the god-given ability to make the have the god-given ability to make the have the god-given ability to make money and so H said you have to look at money and so H said you have to look at money and so H said you have to look at those folks in the same way you would those folks in the same way you would those folks in the same way you would look at a musician if someone has look at a musician if someone has look at a musician if someone has amazing musical Talent you want to come amazing musical Talent you want to come amazing musical Talent you want to come alongside of them and say hey will you alongside of them and say hey will you alongside of them and say hey will you leverage that for the kingdom and when

leverage that for the kingdom and when leverage that for the kingdom and when he said that I was like that's it right he said that I was like that's it right he said that I was like that's it right these I am going to come alongside of these I am going to come alongside of these I am going to come alongside of these folks and and disciple them these folks and and disciple them these folks and and disciple them encourage them cast Vision to them so encourage them cast Vision to them so encourage them cast Vision to them so that they can help further the kingdom that they can help further the kingdom that they can help further the kingdom and it absolutely works and there's and it absolutely works and there's and it absolutely works and there's nothing unspiritual about it in fact I nothing unspiritual about it in fact I nothing unspiritual about it in fact I think it's a very spiritual process very think it's a very spiritual process very think it's a very spiritual process very cool well is there anything else you cool well is there anything else you cool well is there anything else you want to share before we pivot into the want to share before we pivot into the want to share before we pivot into the lightning round well you know I I love lightning round well you know I I love lightning round well you know I I love to talk about preaching because I it's to talk about preaching because I it's to talk about preaching because I it's it's one of the things I love to do and it's one of the things I love to do and it's one of the things I love to do and uh you know I think that uh our church uh you know I think that uh our church uh you know I think that uh our church is where it is today because we've hung is where it is today because we've hung is where it is today because we've hung in there and we've done some some of in there and we've done some some of in there and we've done some some of these things with uh you know internally these things with uh you know internally these things with uh you know internally we've developed great teams we've hired we've developed great teams we've hired we've developed great teams we've hired the right people we didn't get a chance the right people we didn't get a chance the right people we didn't get a chance to talk too much about that but if if to talk too much about that but if if to talk too much about that but if if the communication from the platform is the communication from the platform is the communication from the platform is um inspirational if it's um inspirational if it's um inspirational if it's transformational uh people will bring transformational uh people will bring transformational uh people will bring their friends so I I would just say a their friends so I I would just say a their friends so I I would just say a couple things about about communication couple things about about communication couple things about about communication if you haven't read Andy Stanley's book if you haven't read Andy Stanley's book if you haven't read Andy Stanley's book communicating for a change absolutely communicating for a change absolutely communicating for a change absolutely must read great read absolutely 100% must read great read absolutely 100% must read great read absolutely 100% change the whole way I communicate um change the whole way I communicate um change the whole way I communicate um but I believe with all my heart that but I believe with all my heart that but I believe with all my heart that it's got to be it's got to be authentic it's got to be it's got to be authentic it's got to be it's got to be authentic people today are looking for people today are looking for people today are looking for the pastor to be authentic is this guy the pastor to be authentic is this guy the pastor to be authentic is this guy real if he's not real uh they don't real if he's not real uh they don't real if he's not real uh they don't connect right and so there used to be a connect right and so there used to be a connect right and so there used to be a time when people wanted leaders it was time when people wanted leaders it was time when people wanted leaders it was almost like we wanted leaders that were almost like we wanted leaders that were almost like we wanted leaders that were aloof or you know disconnected it was aloof or you know disconnected it was aloof or you know disconnected it was like there was something reassuring like there was something reassuring like there was something reassuring about that but that that's not the case about that but that that's not the case about that but that that's not the case anymore what does authenticity look like

anymore what does authenticity look like anymore what does authenticity look like for you how how does that work itself for you how how does that work itself for you how how does that work itself out because I think everybody agrees but out because I think everybody agrees but out because I think everybody agrees but how does that work itself out in your how does that work itself out in your how does that work itself out in your teaching sure so I think that there's teaching sure so I think that there's teaching sure so I think that there's there's some P you can step over the there's some P you can step over the there's some P you can step over the line on this and share Too Much from the line on this and share Too Much from the line on this and share Too Much from the platform um but there's a level that is platform um but there's a level that is platform um but there's a level that is this takes discernment you have to open this takes discernment you have to open this takes discernment you have to open up your life and and um my best sermons up your life and and um my best sermons up your life and and um my best sermons are when I say look here's how this is are when I say look here's how this is are when I say look here's how this is here's how this truth is working itself here's how this truth is working itself here's how this truth is working itself out in my life or here's how I'm I blew out in my life or here's how I'm I blew out in my life or here's how I'm I blew it when I was supposed to do this the it when I was supposed to do this the it when I was supposed to do this the way Jesus said to do it and I totally way Jesus said to do it and I totally way Jesus said to do it and I totally messed it up but and but so I'm working messed it up but and but so I'm working messed it up but and but so I'm working on this and so if people can see that oh on this and so if people can see that oh on this and so if people can see that oh yeah he's talking with me here he's not yeah he's talking with me here he's not yeah he's talking with me here he's not preaching down at me he just shared a preaching down at me he just shared a preaching down at me he just shared a story about his life how he's struggling story about his life how he's struggling story about his life how he's struggling too I can listen to this guy and they're too I can listen to this guy and they're too I can listen to this guy and they're engaged and so I try to tell stories um engaged and so I try to tell stories um engaged and so I try to tell stories um I try to be very honest about where I'm I try to be very honest about where I'm I try to be very honest about where I'm struggling on an issue um and and that's struggling on an issue um and and that's struggling on an issue um and and that's that's how I try to do it and that's that's how I try to do it and that's that's how I try to do it and that's just that's our culture now at the just that's our culture now at the just that's our culture now at the church very cool anything else on the on church very cool anything else on the on church very cool anything else on the on the teaching front you'd love to share the teaching front you'd love to share the teaching front you'd love to share you know I I I really do feel like the you know I I I really do feel like the you know I I I really do feel like the the teaching has to be trans the teaching has to be trans the teaching has to be trans transformative and Dallas Willard is transformative and Dallas Willard is transformative and Dallas Willard is some somebody that's shaping my my some somebody that's shaping my my some somebody that's shaping my my understanding of of uh Christianity over understanding of of uh Christianity over understanding of of uh Christianity over the last couple years and and the heart the last couple years and and the heart the last couple years and and the heart is where I go for that I feel like the is where I go for that I feel like the is where I go for that I feel like the teachings got to be at the Heart level teachings got to be at the Heart level teachings got to be at the Heart level because we live from our heart right uh because we live from our heart right uh because we live from our heart right uh Proverbs 4:23 out of the heart flow the Proverbs 4:23 out of the heart flow the Proverbs 4:23 out of the heart flow the issues of life right so I feel like uh a issues of life right so I feel like uh a issues of life right so I feel like uh a message has to be geared towards

message has to be geared towards message has to be geared towards changing the heart of a human being and changing the heart of a human being and changing the heart of a human being and if and if we're doing that we're going if and if we're doing that we're going if and if we're doing that we're going to see we're going to see disciples get to see we're going to see disciples get to see we're going to see disciples get made and so I would just made and so I would just made and so I would just you know pastors and myself included to you know pastors and myself included to you know pastors and myself included to continue to go for the heart this is the continue to go for the heart this is the continue to go for the heart this is the unseminary podcast stuff you wish they unseminary podcast stuff you wish they unseminary podcast stuff you wish they taught in seminary well we're going to taught in seminary well we're going to taught in seminary well we're going to jump into the lightning round this is jump into the lightning round this is jump into the lightning round this is the part of the episode where we ask the part of the episode where we ask the part of the episode where we ask similar questions to everybody that's on similar questions to everybody that's on similar questions to everybody that's on the show today I'm super honored to have the show today I'm super honored to have the show today I'm super honored to have Danny Anderson with us today from uh Danny Anderson with us today from uh Danny Anderson with us today from uh Emanuel Church it's a fantastic Church Emanuel Church it's a fantastic Church Emanuel Church it's a fantastic Church based in Greenwood uh and this is a just based in Greenwood uh and this is a just based in Greenwood uh and this is a just so glad you're here today um what's an so glad you're here today um what's an so glad you're here today um what's an an online resource that you're using an online resource that you're using an online resource that you're using these days that's helping you in your these days that's helping you in your these days that's helping you in your ministry you know I'm I'm a pen and ministry you know I'm I'm a pen and ministry you know I'm I'm a pen and paper guy so uh I have to say there's paper guy so uh I have to say there's paper guy so uh I have to say there's not a whole lot I I need to I need to not a whole lot I I need to I need to not a whole lot I I need to I need to evolve in that but I do love my app my evolve in that but I do love my app my evolve in that but I do love my app my uh my uh app uh podcast app and my uh my uh app uh podcast app and my uh my uh app uh podcast app and my Audible app on my phone use them all the Audible app on my phone use them all the Audible app on my phone use them all the time in fact rich I listen to your time in fact rich I listen to your time in fact rich I listen to your podcast all the time appreciate now I podcast all the time appreciate now I podcast all the time appreciate now I got to send you 20 bucks when you say got to send you 20 bucks when you say got to send you 20 bucks when you say that kind of stuff that's that's a that kind of stuff that's that's a that kind of stuff that's that's a problem what's a book you've read in the problem what's a book you've read in the problem what's a book you've read in the last I don't know maybe six months last I don't know maybe six months last I don't know maybe six months that's shaping your ministry or thinking that's shaping your ministry or thinking that's shaping your ministry or thinking okay essentialism great book fantastic okay essentialism great book fantastic okay essentialism great book fantastic book book book um just love the idea that success can um just love the idea that success can um just love the idea that success can actually be the thing that derails you actually be the thing that derails you actually be the thing that derails you over the Long Haul and I just I just over the Long Haul and I just I just over the Long Haul and I just I just love the whole book and we've done we've love the whole book and we've done we've love the whole book and we've done we've done a series on it at the church it's done a series on it at the church it's done a series on it at the church it's it's fantastic very cool um what's it's fantastic very cool um what's it's fantastic very cool um what's another Ministry that you're looking to another Ministry that you're looking to another Ministry that you're looking to that inspires you uh we're definitely that inspires you uh we're definitely that inspires you uh we're definitely North Point fans so we we go to drive we North Point fans so we we go to drive we North Point fans so we we go to drive we do the small groups thing there and so do the small groups thing there and so do the small groups thing there and so Andy is always inspiring us um but we

Andy is always inspiring us um but we Andy is always inspiring us um but we also look at Craig Rochelle uh love that also look at Craig Rochelle uh love that also look at Craig Rochelle uh love that guy love what he's doing um and so we we guy love what he's doing um and so we we guy love what he's doing um and so we we try to gain you know listen to his try to gain you know listen to his try to gain you know listen to his leadership podcast and and also leadership podcast and and also leadership podcast and and also elevation you know so very cool if you elevation you know so very cool if you elevation you know so very cool if you could get 15 minutes with any leader could get 15 minutes with any leader could get 15 minutes with any leader alive who would that be and why okay I alive who would that be and why okay I alive who would that be and why okay I had to pick Craig Rochelle and here's had to pick Craig Rochelle and here's had to pick Craig Rochelle and here's because I know there's other guys that because I know there's other guys that because I know there's other guys that picked him because he's he's doing God's picked him because he's he's doing God's picked him because he's he's doing God's using him to do great work uh but I just using him to do great work uh but I just using him to do great work uh but I just would love to sit down with him and just would love to sit down with him and just would love to sit down with him and just say hey okay explain multi- sight to me say hey okay explain multi- sight to me say hey okay explain multi- sight to me how you guys are doing it how in the how you guys are doing it how in the how you guys are doing it how in the world is you know what are the steps world is you know what are the steps world is you know what are the steps what are the and so I just that what are the and so I just that what are the and so I just that fascinates me the way that God's using fascinates me the way that God's using fascinates me the way that God's using them to do multi-site today is just it's them to do multi-site today is just it's them to do multi-site today is just it's just it's amazing to me yeah they're just it's amazing to me yeah they're just it's amazing to me yeah they're obviously you know hugely influential obviously you know hugely influential obviously you know hugely influential doing all kinds of amazing things for doing all kinds of amazing things for doing all kinds of amazing things for sure well I know being uh you know lead sure well I know being uh you know lead sure well I know being uh you know lead pastor at a church is a lot of work when pastor at a church is a lot of work when pastor at a church is a lot of work when you just want to kick back relax have you just want to kick back relax have you just want to kick back relax have some fun uh what is it that you do uh some fun uh what is it that you do uh some fun uh what is it that you do uh definitely um hang with my family love definitely um hang with my family love definitely um hang with my family love that and uh but I also love to play that and uh but I also love to play that and uh but I also love to play basketball and I've got a I've got a basketball and I've got a I've got a basketball and I've got a I've got a 14-year-old son and a 12-year-old son 14-year-old son and a 12-year-old son 14-year-old son and a 12-year-old son and they're getting that to the point and they're getting that to the point and they're getting that to the point now where uh the the games are now where uh the the games are now where uh the the games are competitive they're throwing a little competitive they're throwing a little competitive they're throwing a little bit of elbow action there and they play bit of elbow action there and they play bit of elbow action there and they play now with Dad brings me a lot of joy to now with Dad brings me a lot of joy to now with Dad brings me a lot of joy to play basketball yeah that's fun my son's play basketball yeah that's fun my son's play basketball yeah that's fun my son's uh 13 and he I would say in the last uh 13 and he I would say in the last uh 13 and he I would say in the last year and a half he's taken to it's fun year and a half he's taken to it's fun year and a half he's taken to it's fun to try to beat up Dad you know it's that to try to beat up Dad you know it's that to try to beat up Dad you know it's that kind of he's getting bigger and all that kind of he's getting bigger and all that kind of he's getting bigger and all that stuff so that's uh that's really cool stuff so that's uh that's really cool stuff so that's uh that's really cool well Danny I really appreciate you be on well Danny I really appreciate you be on well Danny I really appreciate you be on the show today if people want to get in the show today if people want to get in the show today if people want to get in touch with you or with the church what's touch with you or with the church what's touch with you or with the church what's the best way they can do that my email

the best way they can do that my email the best way they can do that my email is D Anderson eclife.org is D Anderson eclife.org is D Anderson eclife.org I also have a Blog Danny anderson.net I also have a Blog Danny anderson.net I also have a Blog Danny anderson.net and I'm on Twitter at uh Danny Anderson and I'm on Twitter at uh Danny Anderson and I'm on Twitter at uh Danny Anderson 23 nice thanks so much for being on the 23 nice thanks so much for being on the 23 nice thanks so much for being on the show today rich thank you thank you for show today rich thank you thank you for show today rich thank you thank you for tuning in to this week's unseminary tuning in to this week's unseminary tuning in to this week's unseminary podcast don't be shy we'd love to podcast don't be shy we'd love to podcast don't be shy we'd love to connect check out unseminary inbox you connect check out unseminary inbox you connect check out unseminary inbox you can sign up at unseminary dcom and we'll can sign up at unseminary dcom and we'll can sign up at unseminary dcom and we'll send you helpful training resources send you helpful training resources send you helpful training resources every week plus you'll gain immediate every week plus you'll gain immediate every week plus you'll gain immediate access to our exclusive members area access to our exclusive members area access to our exclusive members area with tons of resources you can use with tons of resources you can use with tons of resources you can use connect with Rich on Twitter at Rich connect with Rich on Twitter at Rich connect with Rich on Twitter at Rich Birch or through email Rich unseminary docomomo to hear from you did you enjoy docomomo to hear from you did you enjoy today's episode drop by iTunes and leave today's episode drop by iTunes and leave today's episode drop by iTunes and leave a review Thanks again for tuning in to a review Thanks again for tuning in to a review Thanks again for tuning in to this week's unseminary podcast join us this week's unseminary podcast join us this week's unseminary 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 wish they taught in wish they taught in seminary