Conference Notes

Still having a great time here in sunny Orlando. Did I mention yet that my rental car is a convertible (no, I didn't ask for it... they just handed me the keys), and it's 85 degrees here?

Today was a full day. I'm worn out, and about to lay down in this extremely comfortable hotel bed, watch SportsCenter on the plasma screen and take a nap. But first....

Breakout Session this morning with Darrin Patrick at The Journey in St. Louis was excellent. He's a great communicator, and a high level leader. Too much to post all my notes, so here are the highlights from his session on "Team DNA":

"There is nothing greater than working with a great team. However, working with a bad team can kill you."

• Adam had a team.
• Moses had a team.
• Throughout the Bible we see God calling people to build a team before they accomplish a task.

Team is overrated! (If YOU are not qualified ... See qualifications in I Timothy 3)

YOU (Lead Guy) are the greatest resource in your ministry.

Character of the leader = Character of the team

When you are the leader, people imitate you. They photocopy how you do your marriage, raise your kids, and treat others.

*Big Takeaway* "People will come to your church because of your gifts, but they will stay because of your character."
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Team is underrated! - Choosing a good team

See Mark 3

• When picking a good team, there is no replacement for spending time with God.
• When you spend time alone with God, he is developing your gut, increasing your discernment.
• Chemistry is important - Hire people you like, and can have fun with
  
• Do Stuff - They can't just be fun, they have to have a skill, passion, place to serve, etc...
• Every church should have an internship program.
  
• It helps the church distinguish what kind of people they want to hire without making long term commitments / mistakes.
• It helps develop the young leader.
• Be open with you staff - "Believe the best about one another, and wade through the worst!"
• Hire slowly / Fire Quickly
• Ministry is not about getting stuff done. Ministry is about getting people done.
• Your job as a leader is to create an environment where people can survive and thrive. To create a community where other leaders can excel.