I guess my post about my recent experience at Toys R’ Us has grown legs because I just got this email from their customer service department: Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for your inquiry. You recently contacted us about our Retail Stores. This is an automated response to your email. Your inquiry is important to us and we will answer it within 24 hours. If you are looking for a Toys”R”Us or Babies”R”Us store near you, please use our online Store Locator at www.toysrsinc.com. We provide two convenient ways for you to contact us. You may email us from the … Read More

I took my niece and nephew to Toys R’ Us today to buy them a kickball and what I experienced what a total disaster. The kickballs were on sale for $4.99. Sounds good. I picked up 2 of them and an old school wiffle ball and bat (I could have won the Cy Young award of Wiffle Ball if such an award existed – I’m that good!) Anyway, we get to the register and there’s 5 people on front of us and only 1 lane open. This sends me through the roof. (Don’t managers check sales by the hour to … Read More

I was at the Red Sox/ Marlins game today (Which I enjoyed thoroughly as the Sox won 4-3) and noticed something odd. There was a bit of a ruckus between some Red Sox fans and Marlins fans. So much so, that security was called. So who showed up? A 60 year old woman and another woman that was about 5 feet tall! Now, I don’t mean to sound chauvinistic, but come on! You’ve got 6 half drunk grown men getting rowdy and “Grandma” is going to settle this? Bless her heart, but she didn’t do much to help the situation. … Read More

I’ve been thinking about the “Innovation Bell Curve.” I first saw this a few years ago in the book “Living the Life you were meant to Live” by Tom Paterson. Ever since that day, I’ve wondered where I am on the bell curve, but I’ve always considered what happens to people and/or movements as they become more set in their ways. Basically the curve works like this: 5% are innovators – 13% are early adopters – 34% are early majority adopters – 34% are late majority adopters – and 16% are laggards (They’re called “Nostalgic” now because that sounds nicer). … Read More

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’ve heard so much negativity as of late by people (Some church leaders, others not) about just about every ministry and church leader I know. I for one, am totally over it. I’ve decided that I want to be known for what and Who I love, not only what I stand against. Before you get bent out of shape citing the need to be Bereans, a watchman, and a workman who needeth not be ashamed (Did you like my King James?), let me say that I understand the need for apologetics, orthodoxy, … Read More

I was leaving the office this evening and I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for the people I get to work with at Calvary Fellowship. These people love the church as much as I do, work as hard as I do, and do it with joy. I’m blown away by their dedication and commitment to the Lord and to the church. The thing is, you can pay someone to show up, but you can’t pay someone to care. These folks care. I think part of the reason their commitment level is so high is because they all were … Read More

This quote that Steve posted made me feel like I had been punched in the gut: “Whenever I meet a Buddhist leader, I meet a holy man. Whenever I meet a Christian leader, I meet a manager.” God help us…

Here’s what I’m learning about leadership lately: people follow honest leaders. I don’t just mean men and women who have integrity, but people who simply tell the truth without spin. They are willing to be honest to themselves, and about themselves. When we first started Calvary, I thought people wanted a perfect leader, or a leader who only made silly mistakes that were really of no consequence. But I’m learning that people desire an honest leader who has flaws and is willing to share them for the benefit of others. That’s the kind of leader I’m trying to be.

Carey I were sitting in P.F. Chang’s enjoying their Mongolian Chicken (Which is totally out of control, by the way) when the manager and a guy looking for employment as a server sat down at the table next to us and started conducting an interview.  Being the non-obtrusive person that I am, I eavesdropped in an very stealthy way.  The manager asked some really good questions.  Here are some of them:  #1 – How well do you handle stress? (That P.F. Chang’s location in North Miami is one of the 5 busiest locations in The U.S.)  This seems like a … Read More

#18 – I made one bad hiring decision…and it cost me I don’t mean to sound like an alarmist, but when you are just beginning to add staff, make sure you are hiring the right person. I know they seem like a nice person, they probably are. But that doesn’t mean they really understand your vision. They might be faithful and really love God, but they may not be able to handle the inner workings of church. I have a friend that works at Disney World and he told me one of the hardest things was seeing Mickey Mouse without … Read More