Character Compass

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a million times.

In your 20s (and 30s) it's not about what God is doing through you, it's about what He is building in you. It's more about the person you are becoming than the work you are doing.

In case you didn't know, I'm a little on the impatient side. Ok, A LOT on the impatient side. I want to do. I want to lead. I want to influence. I want to be used.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love learning. In fact, I have a freakish memory when it comes to soaking up information that I know I want to capture. "Growth" is even one of my values. But for some reason this lesson has been a tough one for me to tackle.

But this is what I know I need to learn based on that principle...

The character you are building needs to become part of your muscle memory. Surrender needs to become a habit. Integrity needs to become a habit. Grace. Forgiveness. Obedience. Loyalty. And I'm learning that once I practice those holy habits long enough it will become an old pattern. They need to be developed and become a part of my character compass that will be set for when the pressure is on.

It's not an "either or" statement. It's a "both and". It's not that I can't lead or influence or be used. But, that shouldn't be my focus. Right now, I shoudn't be focused on production. I should be focused on development.

So in the season that I'm in now, it's important that I'm building the character that will one day be able to sustain my calling.

If you are a young leader, I would really encourage you to read these posts that have been influential for me over the past couple weeks:

Brad Lomenick: Rules for Young Leaders on Gaining Credibility
Mark Batterson: 17 Reminders for Leaders
Ron Edmundson: My Hardest Advice for Young Leaders

Voices from the Crowd

My parents didn't say much. They trusted my coach usually. But sometimes, my dad's voice boomed. Sometimes my mom would stand nervously. They rarely questioned, but when they did, it was hard not to listen.

Most of us have seen "those parents". The ones that yell plays to their kids from the stands. "Get back on defense!" Usually those parents aren't aware that during the last timeout your coach told you to full-court press on the next made basket. "Shoot the ball." Usually those parents aren't aware that before the game your coach commanded that you pass 5 times before a shot was taken. So who do you listen to?

I think it's a question worth asking in our everyday lives. Who do you listen to?

Do you listen to the people in the crowd (who may have your best interest in mind) who are unaware of what God is doing in your life. Or do you choose to tune them out and have selective hearing reserved for the most important voice- God.

Now, don't get me wrong. I think it is important- and Biblical- to listen to the people in our lives. I think God uses the voices of the people around us to communicate truth when it's hard, encouragement when we need it, and correction when it's the last thing we want. But, I am also aware that there is a danger in that.

Don't get so focused on the voices in the crowd that they boom over the voice of your coach.

I met my Paul.

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Timothy 2:2)


Paul. Timothy. Reliable people. Others.
Paul. Timothy. Reliable people. Others.


4 Generations.


I had the incredible privilege of hanging out with my "Paul" this weekend. Dave Buehring was in town to speak to our leaders at National Community Church about creating a culture of honor and leading out of the ways of God. It was such a joy to sit under his teaching at Leadership Summit. 


But my biggest takeaway this weekend came on Friday night when I was having a conversation with Dave and Heather. It was the evidence of 2 Timothy 2:2 right in front of me.


Dave discipled Heather. Heather is discipling me. Paul. Timothy.


I'm so grateful that Dave took the time to invest in Heather. To pass on what the Lord had deposited in him and what he had learned from those who went before him. I'm so grateful that Heather has taken that, captured it, made it her own, and so generously passed that on to me.


Now I am a "reliable person" and I am tasked to pass on what has been deposited in me to "others".


Discipleship has NEVER been more real to me. Dave didn't just make a disciple...he made a disciple-maker. I don't want to just be a disciple. I want to be a disciple-maker. And one day, like Dave, I want to be a Paul... 4 generations removed.


Who's your Paul? Who are you being a Paul to?

THE List.

I have one year. Well actually, I'm already down to 11 months now. This is a list of things I want to do during my Protege Year. If you have anything you think I should add to the list, let me know!! AND if you have connections to make some of these things happen, please share :)

I've already gotten to do lots of great things since I got to DC on September 1st. I've toured the Naval Academy in Annapolis, gone apple picking in Maryland, lots of monument walks, went to a Mystics game, and I've been to 3 Nationals games. I've already had lots of fun, but I'm hoping to cross off everything on my list by next August! Here's to lots of adventures!! 

1. Go on a Segway tour

2. Tour the Museum of Modern Art in NYC

3. See Handel's Messiah at the Kennedy Center

4. Tour the Capitol building

5. Fly a kite next to the Washington Monument

6. Visit the Holocaust Museum

7. Tour the National Cathedral

8. Sporting events! Redskins, Nationals, Mystics, Wizards, DC United

9. Go to the National Zoo

10. Hang out at Gravelly Point

11. Write a sermon with Heather

12. Visit all the Smithsonian Museums in DC

13. Ice skating at the Sculpture Garden with Jenilee

14. Hike the Billy Goat Trail

15. Go to the Inner Harbor (the REAL Inner Harbor)

16. Go to the Army v Navy game

17. Visit Mount Vernon

18. National arboretum 4 leaf clover competition

19. Ferry from Old Town to National Habor 

20. Hang out at Yards Park

21. Shooting range with Maegan 

22. Ice sculptures

23. Midnight Memorial tour with Heather

24. Change of the guard at Arlington

25. Baltimore aquarium

26. See Memphis on Broadway with Heather

27. Marine Barracks parade

28. Visit Gettysburg

29. Explore Annapolis

30. Scavenger hunt at Crime and Punishment Museum

31. Play basketball on top of the Supreme Court

32. Wings of Fancy exhibit

The Process

I've always been driven by results. The scoreboard didn't matter until the clock hit 0:00. The project wasn't completed until I turned it in. Point A is great. But Point B is what matters. That's what I've always thought...

The last three months have completely rocked my way of thinking about this. I saw DC as the end, and I wanted to get there. That was what mattered. I had no idea how much I would learn in the process. I've been stretched. I've grown. I've been forced to give up control and be dependent on God. I learned what it meant to finish well. I found the importance of honoring those around me.

So, I have started a new chapter in my journey. Along with it will come challenges, successes, failures, adventures, and probably even some frustrations. But I can already say that it is worth it because just the process of getting here caused me to be more like Jesus Christ. And THAT is what really matters.

I am moving to DC....WHAT?!?!

You know those times when someone asks you why you are doing something and your only answer is "God". It feels like such a cop-out. Like there has to be so much more to it. The person on the other end insists on you giving details and the process behind your decision.

Why am I moving to Washington DC? God. That's really it. And it's not a cop-out. It is me recognizing that His fingerprints have been all over the unexpected.

Ok, ok. You want more than just that, I know. And I'm willing to give more as long as you recognize that at the end of it all... God. He is the reason. He has guided, revealed, confirmed, and sustained. And HE is the reason.

I am moving to DC on September 1 (I'm home with my family in KY for a few days) to join the team at National Community Church. I will be taking part in their Protege Program while working primarily with their Discipleship Team. I will also get to spend some time working alongside their Student Ministry Team.

NCC is a multi-site church with seven locations in the DC Metro area. They have two permanent locations, Ebenezers Coffeehouse and Barracks Row, and then they meet in rented space in movie theaters in the area. I have had the opportunity to visit NCC on two different occasions and I have already fallen in love with the culture and values of the church. They have an intense desire to see people involved in community and I am looking forward to serving the vision of NCC!

The Protege Program is an intensive leadership development program that serves as a training and proving ground for emerging church leaders. It will force me to stretch myself, both in my faith and leadership, and lay a firm foundation to pursue the life-long pursuit of the passion and vision that God has place on my life. As an NCC Protege, I will gain valuable experience in three primary areas: spiritual formation, leadership development, and practical ministry experience. This will be season for me to learn. A lot.

I just read back over this blog post and it sounds really serious. I think I failed to mention that the people that I am going to get to work with and do life with are some of the most fun, adventurous, and life-giving people I have ever been around. So that's a win too!!

I am so thankful for the opportunities I have had in Knoxville to influence people for the gospel. I got to serve with incredibly talented people and more importantly, I got to serve with my best friends. Definitely going to miss Knoxville, but DC...here I come!! 10 DAYS!

A Grateful Goodbye to Knoxville

I'm moving to Washington DC (more on that later).

But before I explain what is ahead, I want to make a feeble attempt at expressing my gratitude for the people that have invested in me over the last five years in Knoxville. And I hope this blog is just ONE of the ways I've communicated how grateful I really am.

I started coming to Sevier Heights during the summer before my freshman year of college when a friend invited me (yes, it actually works when you invite people to church...trust me). My faith was minimal and my Biblical knowledge was nonexistent. Since then I've fallen in love with the Word of God, proclaimed my faith through the water of baptism, gained a passion for His church, and surrendered to the calling He has for my life. Needless to say, I've grown. A lot.

It is with a full heart that I say "thank you" to the countless people who have impacted my faith journey. To those that challenged, supported, encouraged, and guided. To those that stood beside me and walked with me through the failures and successes. To those who shared lots of laughs and memories. And especially to those who believed and valued the gifts that God has given me.

I love you all.