Archive for 'Uncategorized'
50 Most Influential Churches
Posted on 17. Jul, 2007 by Blair.
People love to be recognized. Just watch the awards season in Hollywood and you quickly realize that most people have a deep need to have someone else recognize them for their accomplishments. In the case of Hollywood, they want recognition for their work and their fancy dress, hair, shoes, and borrowed jewels! Well, Mariners Church was recognized this week for something pretty cool. We are one of the 50 most influential churches in America. Other church leaders were surveyed and asked what churches they would rate as influential. We made #25, and this is our first year on the list!
GO MARINERS!!! WOOHOO!!! YEAH GOD!!!!
Here is what is so cool to me about this award. It represents the hard work that is done by thousands of volunteers each and every day to bring Christ and his transforming love to a part of the world that is very comfortable and self sufficient. Mariners challenges people to dig deep and actually love the world around themselves, and not just “cut a check” to solve a problem. While it may be an easy place to live, and the weather may be great, it is rough ground for selfless love and humility. Most people in this area could live life very comfortably all on their own, and so Mariners challenges that comfort zone and encourages us all to live like Christ.
I could not be more proud to be a part of a team that engages in this mission everyday. I am humbled that God chose me to go on this journey. I am not here because of me, I am here because this is where God needed me!
Check out the article for yourself…
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4th of July Cuteness
Posted on 06. Jul, 2007 by Blair.
Sally’s School celebrated Independence Day on July 5th & 6th with a parade around the school. Little Miss Sally was decked out in Red White & Blue and had a great time. Now all we need to do is perfect her parade wave!
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A Little Lax…
Posted on 18. May, 2007 by Blair.
…in my recent posting schedule. Sorry to all of the regular readers of the BlairBlog. Here is a quick rundown of the past few weeks since the last post.
+Tax day came and went without too much pain. In fact the extra 2 days to file were nice. Here was the sweet part… I did my taxes online through TurboTax. They overloaded their servers and some people were late in filing because of them. I was not late, but I filed in the window where people were, so the refunded the TOTAL cost of the filing… so I got to file my taxes online for free this year… woohoo!!
+Global Outreach weekend went off without a hitch. We engaged 1600 people on some level. Our trips for the summer are all full, people are praying for the world, people are learning about justice in the world and people were generous with finances to allow all of this awesome work to continue. Thanks to all of the team that made this weekend a smashing success.
+Sally is growing like crazy and learning new things all the time. I am amazed at how fast she learns things. Her current phase… repeating everything that Christie and I say or do. The other day in the elevator at Mariners, I leaned against the wall and kicked my foot on the wall and she came over and stood exactly like me. Cool and scary at the same time…
+We had an amazing article written about the Resource Center in the OC Register. It had a huge impact on donations and sales. They need the shot in the arm, and people in Orange County and around the world benefit from their action.
+I love my wife and daughter. While this comes as no surprise to any of my readers, I think it is something that is always worth saying.
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Time of Affirmation
Posted on 03. Apr, 2007 by Blair.
Today was the goodbye party for my new co-worker Meeshee Sherrei. She has been on staff at Mariners for around 7 years and has the unusual title, Minister of Joy. She has been seeking God’s direction in her life and has felt called to step out of her very comfortable role at Mariners for an uncertain future. It is a real testament to her faith in God’s leading in her life.
While I have not known her long, I can say that she is a real inspiration. She bring a very positive and infectious spirit to every situation she is in. In her job capacity it was her task to plan, host and execute events that made the staff and the congregation feel at home at Mariners. She brought an element of fun to every staff meeting that I have been a part of at Mariners. It is hard to imagine what they will be like without her extra touches! My very first all staff meeting at Mariners was in the Tent, and on the table were Pop Rocks and Nerds, since we were learning more that day about the LAB.
Her send-off was an amazing event to be a part of. All the staff gathered around cupcakes and her collection of Mr. Potato Heads and for an hour we all took the opportunity to affirm her ministry and her life. She mostly was in tears the whole time as people who have been her co-workers, friends and mentors took the opportunity to lift her up. While I did not say anything at this time (since I have known her for about 5 minutes compared to everyone else there!) I thought I would post an affirmation on my blog. Meeshee was a source of joy for me as the “new guy” on staff at Mariners. She always had a smile for me and went out of her way to make sure I was getting settled. Thank you for your spirit Meeshee… you will be missed!
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Today.
Posted on 29. Jan, 2007 by Blair.
1. I got to look for the kitties with Sally (her favorite morning ritual)
2. I got to take her to school. She claps when we get in the parking lot now and says “cool” which really means “school”
3. I sang all the way to work. I have not had a commute in a while, and I love having the down time to listen to music or the radio, and yes, sometimes I like to sing along.
4. I got to move all my books and things into my office.
5. I got to work on upcoming strategy and figure more out about my role here at Mariners.
6. I got a new computer… faster, more RAM and all of the Adobe apps.
7. I got to blog, twice. (John, please take note)
8. I get to go home and spend time with my girls tonight.
9. I get to prepare my heart and mind for Story Time in the morning (my favorite meeting of the week!)
10. I get to start packing for our Staff Retreat (we are building a house in Mexico!!)
That is all.
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A Closed Chapter…
Posted on 29. Jan, 2007 by Blair.
Yesterday the chapter closed officially on my twelve years of ministry at First Christian Church. The official end came 2 weeks after the practical end. I have been working at Mariners already for 2 full weeks and am starting to feel like I am getting up to speed on my new job. For those who may have not heard, I am now the Director of Communications for the Lighthouse & Global Outreach ministries at Mariners Church in Irvine.
During all my years of ministry I accomplished many things. Prior to joining the staff in any paid capacity, I served for 4 years in Children’s Church, I ran 4th & 5th grade camp for 3 years, and taught 2 year old Sunday School for many years as well. As was mentioned in services yesterday, my first paid position at First Christian Church was as the custodian for HCS and then the church. I am very proud of all the things that I did as the janitor. I took a lot of pride in my work and always did my best. I also learned a lot of life lessons from Art Andell which I still use today. However, since 1992, I have done a few other things, like ran lots of successful youth programs, transitioned youth ministry, founded a department, and brought fiscal disciple to it. I was part of the strategic planning team and was a key part of the crafting of the church mission statement. I participated in worship planning. I setup and maintained a very good computer network on a shoestring budget. I tried to bring a level of excellence to the communications ministry, even in the face of lots of pushback and roadblocks. Sadly, to the many who never knew of those accomplishments, I will always be that guy who used to be the janitor. I know that people who knew and loved me, know that there was more to me than that tired old joke. I know that my value comes from the service I rendered for Christ, not from the recognition of men. Mostly I know that yesterday confirmed for me that leaving First Christian Church was the best decision I could have ever made.
So now the chapter is closed. Today I stand and look to the future. I have a lot of exciting new challenges ahead of me and I am trusting that the Lord will lead me where He always wants me to do. I am thankful for the years the Lord let me serve at First Christian, and I pray that I will be able to maintain the friendships that were formed there. Finally, I thank God for moving in my life and in the life of my family in such a powerful way. It is always easier to stay where you are because it is comfortable and predictable, but the Lord is teaching me that it is better to trust and follow, because even though it is scary sometimes, the reward is worth it!
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Top Ten On Tuesday (Monday Edition)
Posted on 22. Jan, 2007 by Blair.
1. One week on staff at Mariners down and a lifetime to go. I thought I knew how great it was going to be and it is even better! I am hooked on the culture and can’t wait to keep learning and growing. In my first week there I have had the chance to be a part of the amazing “Story Time”, I have been in a couple of great staff meetings, have taken part in a regular ministry prayer group and the list keeps on going.
2. Yesterday Christie and I went to the New2Mariners Class and became official members. They served yummy Panera sandwiches, talked about the history, mission, vision & values of the church and then took us on a tour of the campus. At the end they gave us a church “key.” It doesn’t open anything, but it represents the fact that we are part of the church and a could be a real conversation starter.
3. I have not had a chance to meet Kenton yet, but I can tell you that I almost did by accident the other day. Fellow blogger Tim Stevens was strategically visiting Mariners Church with the other members of the Senior Management team from Granger. I was hoping to get to meet him while he was on campus, but there was no real plan. I was headed from the offices to the cafe for an afternoon iced tea, and on the way there I ran into Kenton giving a tour to the Granger team. I wanted to stop and chat, but then remembered that I am the real new guy at Mariners and probably should not interrupt the Senior Pastors tour to chit chat. I had this vision as I was saying hi to Tim of him looking at me saying “You there… who are you?” then me being like “Ummm… nobody, certainly not the new director of Communications for Outreach!” Anyway, sorry I could not spend more time chatting with Tim. Maybe on his next visit I can sit down with some coffee. Or I could always be a guest host on the Simply Strategic Show if you ever need one!
4. My wife and I had a great drive and an even better chat yesterday. We left the church looking for a drive thru, ended up in Laguna, so we drove the canyon and then ended up in Irvine at the McDonalds on Alton. Talk about the long way around the barn… but the conversation on the way was cool. I love when we get the chance to connect like this. I love you babe!
5. Sally is pretty much a two year old (even though she is not quite 2). You know how I know? She has developed the go limp skill very well. Her favorite time to practice the drill is in the morning when I open her curtains and she climbs up on the chest so she look for the kitties outside. When I try to get her to move her over to the dressing table she generally is not interested in that, so when I try to pick her up she lets her arms and body go limp, so I can barely hold her. Fun!
6. I won a copy of “The Blogging Church” a few weeks ago. I was pretty happy since I don’t usually win anything. The book came and I just finished reading it. What a great book! Thanks to Brian Bailey and Terry Storch for giving birth to it. Go to Amazon and get it now!
7. We got a new table this weekend. WooHoo! The table required a major rethinking of the downstairs living room since we don’t have too many places to put it, but we moved a bunch of stuff around and now we have it.
8. I have a really cool family… My wife is amazing, my daughter is cool, my Mom is a great support and encouragement, my sister is funny and insightful, my brother in law is a cool nerd (like me), and my in laws are a great support.
9. In moving things around for the new table, I had to move our Internet router and WiFi to the other side of the room by the TV. The upside to this… now the XBOX360 is hooked up to the Internet all the time… I have not had a chance to play it yet, but tonight I am going to play a little Madden while Christie works on her bible study.
10. TV is great this season. Seriously, the Office… it doesn’t get any better than that, oh and by the way… Lost returns soon!!!
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First Day
Posted on 16. Jan, 2007 by Blair.
So starting a new job is a lot like the first day of a new semester. You get new supplies, pick a new seat and then the professors start handing out the syllabus. You meet lots of new people and figure out what life is going to look like for the foreseeable future.
All I can say is that the future looks bright from where I am sitting now, which is my office in the Outreach area at Mariners Church! My first day was filled with introductions and so many faces. I may be a little slow with the names the first week or so, but I am learning. The team had a welcome basket full of goodies for me and it included chocolate and lots of fun office treats. I got an official Mariners mug and Christie even got her own bag of goodies. Thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome!!
This morning was story time and the entire staff gathers for an hour to celebrate victories won in the grind of daily ministry. How refreshing and encouraging to take a few moments out to share these stories. Lots more to do today…
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Ladies and Gentlemen…
Posted on 15. Jan, 2007 by Blair.
…Blair has left the building. And the truth is… if I hadn’t said it myself, no one would have said it for me. Now my years at First Christian Church are over and the more I think about it and pray about it, the more I know that it was time for me to go and follow God’s leading. I was comfortable and complaisent. I was battle weary and under encouraged. When I needed support I got lip service. I want to thank Billy for doing the best job he can of being supportive. I know this is a big change, and I appreciate your willingness to work at keeping our friendship alive. I want to thank Michele for being the one person who will feel the pinch of my departure who was classy to the end. I want to thank Scott & Tammy for your encouragement and support. I want to thank Curtis & Kristi for their graciousness, especially since Curtis ends up with most of my work for the time being (have fun proofing the bulletin buddy!) I want to thank Duane, Mike, Kirk, Norm and Mark for being the kind of leaders that are willing to express that you are sad to see my go, but happy to know that I am following the Lord’s leading. And I want to thank Bob, for always being in my corner, even when that seemed like a dark and cramped place. I know that my leadership has grown and changed because of you.
After spending most of my life at First Christian Church in Huntington Beach, I am now treading into unfamiliiar territory, but I feel excited and energized by the move. I never really thought this day would come, but now that it is here, I am excited for it. First Christian Church will always be a place full of fond memories, good times and once in a lifetime experiences. It is where I was baptized, where I served in ministry as a volunteer and as staff, where I met and married my wife, where my sister was married, and where my daughter was dedicated, Those memories cannot be taken away, and while the names and faces over the years have changed, and will continue to change, First Christian will always be the church that I came from.
And now… I am off to Mariners… Pray for me!!
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Captain EO
Posted on 11. Dec, 2006 by Blair.
Everything is on the Internet. So Curtis threw down a Captian EO reference this morning and Billy did not remember the film, so I googled it and found it on YouTube. Billy, when you have 18 minutes prepare to be thrilled. This movie is from a simpler time when Michael Jackson was not a creepy child molester, just creepy. You gotta love the dance moves though. So my personal connection to Captain EO is that it came out when I was in the 9th grade and they did a 60 Hour opening party at Disenyland. Thats right… Disneyland was open for 60 straight hours and I went and waited over 10 hours to see Captain EO… and the best part… because of my eyes I can’t even see 3-D! Well, enjoy this little slice of the 80’s on me.
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