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I'm Kind of a Big Deal

I thought this brief clip of Larry King’s interview with Jerry Seinfeld was amusing.  This clip epitomizes why you should always do your homework and always be prepared.  In case you didn’t know Seinfeld was number one, his last episode had 75 million viewers and “He Is Kind of a Big Deal!”

With an interview of this caliber, do you think Larry King should have been more prepared and brought his A-Game or do you say “Poor Larry?”  Share your thoughts!

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You Don't Have To Yell and Act Stupid!

Throughout the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to work alongside and work for a plethora of different people with various leadership styles.  One of the things that I have come to realize is that “You Don’t Have to Yell and Act Stupid” to get maximum performance from your employees.  I was reminded of this truth, as I was watching the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots play this past Sunday in what was dubbed as Super Bowl XLI ½.   I enjoy watching Tony Dungee coach, lead and direct his teams.  This is a man whom outwardly shares his Faith and what God has done in his life.  He also makes it very clear that he leads in a manner that honors God.  Oh and did I mention that according to NFL experts; Dungee is one of only a slim number of NFL coaches that doesn’t use profanity.  BTW- Dungee led the Colts to the Super Bowl last year and they are a favorite to repeat this year? 

The Colts have a couple of star players however; Dungee’s calm, confident and assertive approach maximizes his players/employees performance.  I am not saying that there is not a time to elevate the game, to demand more, to increase the intensity…..  I am simply saying that “You Don’t Have to Yell and Act Stupid!”    I personally feel that when a leader is confident in whom they are; or who they are in Christ, their style will reflect that confidence and their team will follow.  I just think when people get all dramatic, yell, act stupid and try to intimidate; they are just insecure and their team’s performance will reflect that insecurity.  Don’t get me wrong there is definitely some balance that has to occur; especially in athletics.  I have experienced the negative effects of this style, both in secular and religious environments.

Have you worked for or alongside individuals who “Yell and Act Stupid?”  Do you tend to lead with, or respond better to that leadership style?  Do you agree with the insecurity comment?  Share your thoughts!

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How Diverse is Your Church?

I would like to get some input from everyone who reads Big Is The New Small; including those of you reading through RSS.  Your feedback will be helpful  for some upcoming posts on Church Diversity.  OK, here is the question:  ”In your opinion, what is the percent of racial diversity of those attending your Church?”  Particularly; White, African American, Hispanic & Asian.  If you could simply post a comment and in your response include the name/location of the church; as well as your guess on the racial make-up.  If you feel a particular population is less than 1% you don’t need to include them in your response, or if you have a significant population other than the ones listed, please include them.   

It does not matter whether someone from your church has already responded or if you feel as though you don’t have a clue, I am more interested in your perception!  I will post the first comment and I want to thank you in advance for your responses! 

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Need Assistance??

target-phone.JPGI don’t know what it is about Target, but they have me really paying attention to the intentionality of their customer service.  I enjoy strolling through the store and as I am rolling around I get the opportunity to receive a free customer service seminar.  I know the Target staff probably thinks that I am crazy; as I am walking around snapping pictures w/ my phone.  Here is my latest photo; Target has these little red phones all around the store.  Notice the sign above and next to the phone doesn’t have information but rather asks 3 questions.  The questions are:

  • Need Assistance?
  • Can’t find it?
  • Can’t lift it?

That sign just purely simple and customer perfect customer service sense.  I am going to paraphrase for what I believe target is really saying.  “We are not going to waste money and have a bunch of extra employees running around to bother you; however if you need help, no matter the need you can call on us. We are just a red phone call way.” Just think about those three questions that Target asks and imagine Jesus asking those same three questions, with the addition of one response.

  • Need Assistance?

  • Can’t find it?
  • Can’t lift it?
  • Call on Me!

  Unfortunately, more often times than not, our signs look something like this:

  • Need Assistance?  ~~Let me check my schedule!  

  • Can’t lift it?  ~~Don’t look at me, I can’t lift it either!

  • Can’t dress up?   ~~Let me find you a church where you can dress down!

What does the sign look like and what are the questions/responses for your personal life, business or ministry?  Share your thoughts!

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Friday Drive-by (5)

Let me shoot you some random bullets!

LifeChurch.tv, NW Oklahoma City Campus

  • We are hosting “The Big Show” tonight which is an event to honor our volunteers, we could not do what we do w/out them!
  • Last week of Supernatural looking at Angels
  • God is really blessing our campus w/ some serious growth

Sports:

  • Alabama needs to beat LSU
  • OSU needs to beat Texas
  • ASU needs to beat Oregon
  • OU will beat Texas A&M and Coach Fran will get fired
  • The Seattle Supersonics need to leave Seattle and land in Oklahoma City
  • I want to say the Colts will beat the Patriots it will be tough and it depends on whether Harrison plays 

Questions that make you go hmmmm!

  • When flying, why do we wake up from a good nap for a 1oz. snack and a 4oz. drink?
  • Why is it illegal to give homeless people food or money in Denver?
  • Why do ATM’s charge you a fee to get your money?

Quotes:

  • Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.  Winston Churchill
  • You see things and say ‘Why?’ but I dream things that never were; and say ‘Why Not?’  George Shaw
  • We should not live life or do things Just Because; instead we should live life and do things Because.  Scott Williams

Question?

  • Do you take your Bible with you to church?  Share your thoughts!

 Have a great weekend!

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Cancer is Pissing Me Off!

I have been thinking over the last few years about the significant increases in the number of people and families that are affected by Cancer.  The rates of Cancer increase around the world are growing astronomically on a yearly basis.  According to the World Cancer Report, the most comprehensive global examination of the disease to date; Cancer rates could further increase by 50% to 15 million new cases in the year 2020.  This report also provides clear evidence that healthy lifestyles and public health action by governments and health practitioners could stem this trend, and prevent as many as one third of cancers worldwide.  I just know that I am sick and tired of talking to and hearing about mothers, fathers, family members, friends, spouses, children….. facing this horrible disease.   It really breaks my heart!

Sorry to be so crass, but the bottom line is that Cancer is Pissing Me Off!                 How about you?  Share your thoughts!

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Just Because or Because

I had one of those “Ah Ha” moments this week in our staff meeting as we were visiting and sharing what we call “God Moments.” As I was communicating a team member’s situation, I made a comment using a word combination that I found to be intriguing “Just Because or Because.”  A team member had approached me about their role, whether it was the right fit and the fact that they felt as though they were doing their role in ministry “Just Because;” instead of doing their role “Because” they are called to that specific role.   Hmmmmmm, green light!  There is some wisdom in being honest with yourself, your job, your friends, your family or your calling and recognize the things that you do “Just Because!”  Have we arrived at a place where we accept doing things “Just Because, Just Because”   Here are some “Just Because” statements to ponder:

  • I say my grace before I eat, Just Because….
  • I disrespect adults, Just Because….
  • I go to a job that I don’t like, Just Because….
  • I stay in an abusive relationship, Just Because….
  • I am voting for so and so, Just Because….
  • I don’t believe in God, Just Because….
  • I don’t feel comfortable around those people, Just Because….
  • I don’t think she can be a Pastor, Just Because….
  • I am not doing that today, Just Because….
  • I raise my voice, Just Because….
  • I don’t likes so and so, Just Because….

Okay, you get the picture!  The bottom line is that these “Just Becauses” are nothing more than a bunch of Big Fat Excuses to not be intellectually honest and begin to do things “Because!” Do you find yourself or others you know doing things “Just Because?”  Share your thoughts!

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10 Ways To Increase Blog Traffic (2)

I thought I would share some ways to increase your blog traffic, these are a combination of things that I have read and things that I have done.  Here you go:

  1. Be Original- Share information that is unique, be an expert on a subject, be funny, be real and make your posts stand out.  Be consistent with your posts, if you don’t post readers will not come back.
  2. Blogroll- Add other good blogs to your blogroll, rotate your blogroll, and encourage your friends to add you to theirs. Write challenging/interesting content that encourages your readers to provide links to your blog.
  3. Guest Blog- Be a guest blogger for friends and other blogs in the blogsphere.  Make sure that your posts are challenging and hard-hitting.  Allow other bloggers to be featured guest bloggers on your site.  Sahre and link interesting blog posts to yours.
  4. Take a Stand- Make sure that some of your posts clearly take a stand on a topic or issue.  Readers will return to a site that has strong, unique and relative opinions.
  5. Submit to Search Engines- Submit your site to search engines, submit it to as many as you can, understanding that Google is the “Grand Daddy.”  There are a number of manual ways to submit your site, as well as paid services.  A couple of sites to consider are AdMe    SubmitExpress    TrafficZap   Google AdWords   BuildTraffic   There are many other sites and services to consider.
  6. Use Media- Use images, links to images, YouTube videos and graphics.
  7. Allow Comments- Allow readers to comment and respond to all comments.  Be prepared to articulately respond to adversarial comments.  Comment on blogs that you read.
  8. Add Link Tools- Consider using some or all of the following, one of the new and more popular is Blogrush, you can sign up for Blogrush by clicking the icon to the right of my blog.  Here are some free services, links, communities and tools to consider: Technorati    StubleUpon    DiggThis    Delicious   BlogExplosion   Blogs4God    BlogRush
  9. Evaluate- Ask an educated Digerati and fellow bloggers to evaluate your site and recommend necessary changes.
  10. Blog About Interesting Topics-  Technology, I-Phone, Religion, Current Issues, “Don’t Taze Me Bro,” Breaking News, Sports, Stupid Stuff, Church Trends and How To Increase Blog Traffic.
  11. Bonus: Don’t give up!  You keep writing and people will start reading!

What are some things that you have done to increase your blog traffic?  Share your thoughts! 

For those of you who don’t have a blog, how do you come across the blogs that you read?

Craig posted that they would add those that link their blog to Swerve, to the Swerve blogroll.  That will increase your traffic; read about here.

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I Left My Wife!

I can’t believe it but after knowing one another for over 11 years, 2 children and a marriage before God; “I Left My Wife!  I know that you are probably saying No, What do you mean?   Are you serious?   I can’t believe it either, but while we were at the Denver airport, I left her.  As we were coming down the escalator we noticed that the train was about to leave and I didn’t want to miss it.  I decided to take charge and lead the way, in order to get us on the train.  It was my understanding that if I just made it into the doors, they wood stop and re-open; just like an elevator.  I was wrong and the door closed with my wife standing outside the train looking at me.  It reminded me of a soap opera. I received more advice in that two minute ride than I normally receive in a week; such as:

  • An elderly lady said “ladies are supposed to be first”
  • A man in a cowboy hat said you will have about 2 minutes to find some flowers
  • A wise man said “just pray that she forgives you”

I decided to take the advice of the wise-man!  This was one of those situations in which I reacted based on previous experiences…. elevator doors open.  The problem is that I didn’t have any previous experience with train doors.  BTW I found my wife at baggage claim and she was laughing/smiling and said “I was fine; I was not going to get smashed by a train door!”  Hmmmm prayer does work, thanks “Mr. Wise Man!” 

In what ways are churches, businesses, marriages, sports teams….. reacting based on previous experiences; when the reality is that the current experiences are totally different? 

Share any situations that you have found yourself in similar to this one!

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Friday Drive-by (4)

I am in Denver on vacation:

  • I packed for snow and Denver had record temperatures (80 degrees)
  • Rockies fans are a little down but ready for tomorrow
  • Maybe someone on the streets will bless us with some tickets LOL
  • Downtown Denver is Cool, I like this place
  • We have eaten at some great restaurants
  • I will attend the Internet Campus tonight

For you to know and for you to do!

  • Get a copy of Craig’s book “Going All The Way”  It is a great read for couples or singles; especially those planning on getting married.  I am going to begin using it in my Prep For Marriage Classes!  
  • The post that I made this week entitled: No Sex Offenders Allowed was featured on Monday Morning insight, check it out here.
  • I was reading Gina McClain’s blog and ran across a cool blog concept called “Proof of Purchase” it has some explicit verbiage; however I think that I am going to use some version of this concept in the future.

Blogs That have recently added BigIsTheNewSmall/Scott Williams to their blogroll:  Let me know if I am missing yours and I will add you to the list!

Robin Meadows  Chilly Chilton  Aaron Havens  Think Virtue  The Greater Love Blog 

Learning to Breathe  Rachel Cobb  Well Bread  Churchsmo

Questions:

  • Who is going to win the World Series, Rockies or Red Sox?
  • Should a Senior, Campus or Lead Pastor have to be married to be in their role?  Why or Why Not!

Have a great weekend!

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