I’m a husband, father, pastor & author. Since 1980 I’ve had the incredible privilege of serving the congregation at North Coast Church in Vista, CA. It’s been a ride far beyond anything I ever imagined. I’m married to an amazing woman named Nancy. We have three great kids of whom I’m incurably proud. All their good traits are hers.
My goal with this blog is simple. I seek to post thoughtful reflections on what I’m learning about life, leadership and spirituality. My hope is that you’ll find them worthy of your own reflection and that they will contribute to the wider conversation about what it means to live well, lead well, and follow Jesus.
Finally, the thoughts and observations here are mine alone. I’m not writing in my official capacity as a pastor at North Coast Church. Unless expressly stated, I’m not speaking for the church. I’m writing as a Christian, author, and leadership mentor. I’m solely responsible for the thoughts and content.
Larry,
I was refreshed to read the synopsis of your latest book. Your 10 headings covered represent the majority of things that frustrate me as a pastor when I hear the Christian community aspouse.
Thank You!
John Dunaway
Pastor Larry< you mentioned a zero-base planning retreat in recent twitter update. What is zero-base?
Dale –
A Zero-Based retreat is a one to two day meeting that we hold with a small group of select folks on our team (usually about seven) and we go away and look at an area of the church or the entire ministry and ask, “If we were starting over, what would we do?” It helps clear the fog and helps keep our ministry aligned with our values and mission.
Larry,
Just read your 10 dumb things book. It is awesome! I want to buy a book for all of our Growth Group leaders. What is the best deal on 24 books?
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Mike Cantrell
Lead Pastor, Bethel Community Church
Larry:
I really enjoyed “Sticky Church” and our church is trying to implement sermon based small groups. I am confused, however, that in your book you mentioned not scheduling other classes to compete with those groups yet in checking North Coast’s website you are offering two classes that do compete. Can you clarify this point for me. Thanks
Bob
I’m not sure what classes you saw as “competing with our small groups.”
Let me know specifically what you saw/see on the website and I can answer your question more accurately.
Any classes you see now are not in competition, as our groups have been off for the summer and kick off at the end of Sept.
And even so, as we’ve grown to the size we are at today, we do allow an occasional specialized recovery ministry or short-term class to operate while our Growth Groups are in session – but we don’t want them to compete so we tend to hamstringing them as I talk about in the book.
I hope this is helpful – If I missed what you were asking please let me know
Larry
Larry,
didn’t know how to contact you. hope this reaches you.
I am working on a new book: Make Your Group Grow, to be published by Group next June.
I have mentioned you in a chapter on the importance of pastors cheerleading groups. I wanted to let you see what I have in case you wanted me to change anything. The address you can see online is http://joshhunt.blogspot.com/2009/10/chapter-nine-applications-for-pastors.html
Thanks. Loved Sticky Church and promoted it on my 13,000 opt in list
Josh
josh@joshhunt.com
http://www.joshhunt.com
Hi-
I don’t know if I qualify as a “smart Christian” as your book has in its title. However, I really can relate with the 10 Dumb Things you outline in your book. I originally intended to read only a few chapters- I was skipping around. I was so interested that I ended up reading the entire book. I think I’ll complete the discussion guide as well.
You’ve peaked my interest in Jeremiah. I know very little about him but I want to know more.
I am seeking information on “John’s Handy Dandy Spiritual…” to share with my small group. They think it sounds way-out, and not serious. I’m having trouble getting the info on your website.
Carol Kelley
Essex Alliance Church, VT
You can find the entire sermon series and notes by going to our website http://www.NorthCoastChurch.com and clicking on sermon videos – It will take you to SerachableSermons.com
add me
I don’t know if I qualify as a “smart Christian” as your book has in its title. However, I really can relate with the 10 Dumb Things you outline in your book. I originally intended to read only a few chapters- I was skipping around. I was so interested that I ended up reading the entire book. I think I’ll complete the discussion guide as well.
+1
I don’t know if I qualify as a “smart Christian” as your book has in its title. However, I really can relate with the 10 Dumb Things you outline in your book. I originally intended to read only a few chapters- I was skipping around. I was so interested that I ended up reading the entire book. I think I’ll complete the discussion guide as well. +1
+1
It was lovely and interesting meeting you on the plane to Louisville last weekend… I was the zany Production Designer sitting next to you.
Safe travels. Hope we cross paths again sometime in the wide world.
Best,
Bob Bonniol
Hi Larry. Had a question about chapter 1 of your “Ten Dumb Things” book. In your research for this chapter on faith from chapter 1 of your “Ten Dumb Things” book, did John mention any more about what he prayed for when “That morning, while in prayer for Susan’s healing, [...] He felt as if God had physically reached down and touched him, whispering in his ear, ‘I’ve heard you, She’ll be okay.’”.
Our Sunday Bible study class thinks he made a mistake in his prayer – he did not pray that God’s will would be done in his wife’s situation. We felt that he should have told God that he would accept whatever God’s will would be for his wife – whether she would be healed or not healed.
Is this the first and most major mistake he made in this situation? (Besides not accepting his wife’s death as God’s will in her sickness?)
Thanks for your time, Dave
Dave
I don’t think “John” made a mistake when he prayed without articulating that he would accept whatever God’s will was in the situation. We are not told anywhere in scripture that this is a recipe or requirement for prayer. It’s much more of a traditional way of praying than a biblical mandate. Yes, Jesus used that term in the garden. But we don’t find him using it in his other prayers. In fact, in Luke 11 and 18 when Jesus teaches on prayer, the emphasis is on persistence more than anything else – and in the case of the persistent neighbor, Jesus says that it was his persistence and shameless importunity that triggered his request being granted (not knocking on the door and asking for bread with a caveat that it’s OK if it’s not your will to give it to me). Anytime we turn prayer into a recipe we risk removing it from the ABBA Father privilege that it is.
Larry,
I was the guy with the floppy blue hat to your right at your workshop in Orlando. A line of young admirers prevented me from greeting you, but I want you to know that without your session the whole event would have been a bust for me. (Even Ed Stetzer was constrained to speak on theology, which he’s good at but he’s better at being creative and giving us stats, etc.) I felt about “Exponential” the way I have been feeling about TV, radio, and the internet… they are advertising us to death! I can barely even listen to Rush anymore because it’s ALL ads.
Yours in Christ,
Ed Lowe
I’m a Christian blogger and book lover interested in reviewing your books ACCIDENTAL PHARISEES, STICKY TEAMS and 10 DUMB THINGS SMART CHRISTIANS BELIEVE on my blogs khamneithang.blogspot and khamneithang.wordpress which are syndicated to my Twitter accounts with over 200,000 followers and Facebook page with a weekly reach of over 500,000 people (per Facebook insight). Over 90% of my followers/friends are from North America.
Blessings,
Khamneithang Vaiphei
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