I Used To Take Notes From Starbucks

Starbucks. One coffee company that has changed our culture forever. I really love the atmosphere of Starbucks. It is a cool, place that has comfortable seating, lust loud enough background music, and tasty coffee (not saying that it is the best, but it does the job). I used to dream about planting a church that has a Starbucks like experience. I used to take notes from every Starbucks experience that I had. I would write down the color scheme on their walls, their lighting, their music, their displays, seating, etc. However, things have changed dramatically.

Don't get me wrong, I still like the environment at Starbucks. BUT...the biggest thing that has dramatically decreased (if at all even remotely present any longer) is the personal attention that I used to get. Not that the Barista's are impersonal, or unfriendly, but I have not walked into Starbucks in the last 2 years with any of them asking for my name and thanking me by name. That's right, it used to be that Starbucks would ask for my name and then once my order was ready, greet me by name and thank me by name, this doesn't happen anymore.

It is this impersonal experience that I refuse to let happen at Generation Church! I want every guest/owner/family member that walks through the doors to be personally greeted and feel as though they are worth something. For me, using my name shows that you care about me; the church must let people know that we care for them! It must be personal (this is not saying that the vision that God has laid on the Pastor's heart is compromised by the personality of everyone in the church, it just means that people must be the most important aspect of the church!)

Leaders in the Church, Starbucks, and anyone else of influence...make your experience personal it will bring worth to those you serve and open the doors for community!

It's Been an Interesting Few Months

Yes, I know many of you may have noticed that the last time stamp for my last blog was the end of January. Well, this blog is more of just an update, and I will get back to more meaningful blogs later this week.

Cyndi, Micaiah and I are all together in Indianapolis!!! We made the decision that it was getting too close to Josiah getting here and we hate being apart. Another factor is that in order for Generation Church to be launched when we feel like God is leading I needed to move up here and start meeting people. So, we are renting a 1 bedroom apartment for all of us to be together while selling our house in Kentucky and our new home in Noblesville is being finished. We laugh because we have gone from 1800 sq ft to 650 sq ft and sometime in June we will be going to about 3400 sq feet. God is truly working, we have signed a contract to build our dream home (for the same cost of buying an already built one) in Noblesville. I have already met several of our neighbors and have already began to invite them to Generation Church (and we aren't even meeting yet). We have several families very interested. Please keep praying, we want our house in KY to sell very quickly but know He has the right family for the right time!

Cyndi is doing great! She is loving her job, although recruiting is very slow at the moment, mostly because of lack of marketing. She is healthy and strong, as well as Josiah. We go back to the doctor on April 11 for a 3D ultrasound (which was ordered by the doctor due to a potential complication) several third trimester tests and just to keep things on path for Josiah's June appearance. Cyndi has definitely entered the very uncomfortable state of her pregnancy, as it is becoming difficult for her to sleep, having to use the bathroom every five minutes, and (although I think she is HOT and looks fantastic) she has now become self conscious about the baby bump that has taken place. All in all things are awesome!

Micaiah has started preschool/daycare and it was a bit of an emotional time for he and I. You see, he has been my side kick for the last two years. Although, I will miss being with him all day everyday and the awesome ministry doors he opens for me, it is time for him to get friends his own age. It also frees me up to go to Starbucks and meet with people (that's where I am at right now, and I just had a random lady shout to the entire store that she knows me, but she really doesn't). Micaiah being in preschool also allows me to partner with and serve alongside The Pointe Community Church while we getting things under way for Generation Church. Their Lead Pastor, Charlie Fehrman, has been a great blessing in my life and has become a mentor as we plant.

God is truly blessing us! Thank you so much for your prayers, support, and love that you have show for Cyndi, Micaiah, and myself.