Doing Life With Those You Enjoy

I had the honor of talking to the staff at Oak Leaf Church yesterday at their staff retreat in Chattanooga. Had a fun time and was impressed with those guys. I have said this a million times but it always strikes me when I leave Michael how different we are. We couldn’t be any more different, yet I think our respect and friendship for each other has really grown over the last couple of years. I consider him a friend, peer AND a mentor in many areas. Michael is a sharp guy and I have only been around Anthony, his executive pastor a couple of times but I am impressed with him as well. OLC is going to do great things in Cartersville.

One thing that strikes me when I am around other church staffs is how close knit our staff is. It wasn’t that the OLC staff wasn’t close, but today I was reminded that I do life with my best friends.  I am learning there is a vast difference between having a staff and a team.  Here at Revolution we have a team of people who are passionate about Jesus, our city, reaching lost people and are passionate about each other.

We actually love being around each other, we love hanging out, we love that we get to do this thing called Revolution together. I consider the guys and gals on our team to be my best friends.

I have had a lot of people tell me that we will eventually stall out in our growth if we don’t change the frat house culture at our office and the closeness of our staff.  I see their points and I understand what they are saying, but the day I have to stop being close with the people I lead is the day I will stop leading this place.

Trust me, I can put the boss hat when necessary.  Being so close with our staff does create moments where things are awkward and difficult but I would take those moments anytime in order to keep the closeness of our team.

I think my friend Perry Noble and the staff at New Spring keeps this balance as well as any staff.  When others tell us we need to change, I just point to New Spring.  I love coming into an office where I am happy to see everyone, I love that I can go hang out in others offices, and I love that I actually enjoy being around our staff.