Our international church partners in the Philippines and Spain have jumped in as well. We are part of a world effort to help the people of Haiti, including so many children. The trouble is far from over. At least 54 powerful aftershocks have hit since January 12. They say more are expected that could cause extreme damage. About 1.1 million people in Port-au-Prince have lost their homes.

One of the organizations we have given to is Samaritan’s Purse. They help in so many ways, including medical treatment, food, sanitation, and clean-up. Here is the latest update from them and the many ways your generosity is helping the people there.

• The medical team sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse has seen more than 100 patients a day for the last two days.
• Food and other necessities have been given to 81 orphanages and other institutions.
• Last week, the team distributed 583 tons of food to 23,322 families/139,392 individuals.
• As of Monday, the team had distributed 12,040 20’ by 20’ plastic tarps. These are used for shelter and other things.
• The team there also removed 820 tons of rubble, as well as installed 25 latrine banks. They even conducted two days of hygiene education.
• Since the earthquake, Samaritan’s Purse medical personnel at Baptist Haiti Mission have helped perform 250 surgeries and hundreds of casting and repairs. They have seen more than 4,000 people.

They ask for our prayers as they continue the much-needed work there. Their prayer requests are:

• They would find a suitable place for their cargo ship to dock and be unloaded.
• There would not be an outbreak of epidemic disease.
• That you would pray for the survivors as they mourn the loss of their loved ones.
• And please pray for the team’s physical, mental, and emotional welfare as they face these challenges.

We are continuing to look at ways we can help. Two staff members are in Haiti this week to assess what else needs to be done. Thank you for giving! You are amazing!!

• At the conclusion of Andy’s message he asked those who had been running from God to come forward, kneel and pray.  Seeing dozens and dozens of people come forward was something I will never forget.
• Standing up front and praying over those who came forward was an honor and privilege I don’t take lightly.
• Announcing the potential location of our fourth campus was another reminder of why I love North Point Ministries.  It would be really easy to coast and play it safe.  Then again, that would mean thousands of people might not meet their Savior.  So, let’s keep moving.
• An email I received late last night from a new friend made my year.  (And it’s only March!)  He’s been attending Buckhead for ten weeks and has lots of great questions about God.  He’s joined a Starting Point group and is beginning his journey.  The amazing detail of his email is that he was one of the ones who came forward yesterday.  This is a huge step for him.
• I love talking to people on Sundays and yesterday was no exception.  Great conversations.  Please don’t hesitate to find me on Sundays.  I’m usually down front or out at the Information Center.
• KidStuf and UpStreet launched their Big Idea of the month.  Honesty.

http://www.kidstuf.com/parents This is such an incredible resource for parents.

Finally, on a personal note, yesterday was my birthday.  I say that to say thanks for the cards, notes, twitters and well wishes.  This church means so much to my family and me.  Thank you for being a church that encourages and replenishes me.

Okay, that’s what I’ll remember from yesterday.  How about you?

Grateful,

Jeff

To illustrate this, we told the story of David and Goliath. We were especially excited because Goliath made a special appearance in all three of our large group environments. Here are the pictures to prove it!

Every Sunday, our UpStreet storytellers communicate the truth of the Bible in such a way that it becomes unforgettable to a child. Then our small group leaders discuss that truth with their consistent group of kids. Together, they talk about what it means to really apply it to their lives.

Thanks to all our UpStreet volunteers – and our Goliaths, Brian, Nathan, and Trevor – for making a really BIG impression!

Life Change. from buckheadchurch on Vimeo.

Last week, we had some fun with the staff by hosting our first ever Staff Chili Cook-off.  The winner was Susanne Fatigati, Director of Care and Membership.  She had some tough competition.  In fact, she only won by one vote.

Nevertheless, to the victor goes the spoils, so today, we proudly offer Susanne’s chili recipe.  Enjoy!

Turkey  with Tomatillos Chili (double this to make a full crock pot)

1 package ground turkey, which is usually about a pound and a third

1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 can Rotel original (which is diced tomatoes with green chilies, there are also mild and hot versions)

1 can crushed tomatoes (May only come in a large can, which is fine. This isn’t an exact science. But, if you double the recipe, you probably don’t need another can.)

1 can black beans drained and rinsed

1 packet of chili seasoning- any would probably work fine. I used the one for white chicken chili, and I’ve also used the Tex Mex.)

Brown turkey in separate pan in a little oil, strain in colander

Add to all above ingredients in crock pot

Cook on low for a couple of hours

Don’t cook in with the rest, but before you serve, stir in:

1 large jar salsa verde (which is tomatillo, cilantro…)

2 fresh tomatillos, chopped

But then, of course, heat it enough to serve after you pour those in.

top with any or all:

sharp cheddar, grated

onions, chopped

avocado, chopped

lime, in small pieces for squeezing over avocado

fresh cilantro, chopped

sour cream

white corn tortilla scoops

Back in December I read an interesting book called “Jim and Casper Go to Church”, written by a pastor named Jim Henderson. (No relation to yours truly.) In the book, Jim hires Matt Casper, a self-described atheist, to visit various churches together.  After each visit, Jim would simply ask Matt his opinion.   They attended large, medium and small churches with lots of varieties in between.  I found the book and their dialogue fascinating.

Even more fascinating is that Jim has started a company called Church Rater.  Through Church Rater, Jim’s team hires outsiders to visit your church and give you specific feedback on their visit.  They characterize outsiders as non-Christians, unbelievers, agnostics and atheists.

At Buckhead Church, this is right up our alley.  We are trying to learn how to engage those who are far from God and this seems like a great learning opportunity. So, I emailed Jim and asked if he could help.  We set up a phone call and, long story short, Church Rater has arranged for an upcoming visit to Buckhead Church from a few of their friends.

When I asked Jim how he found church outsiders in Atlanta since he lives in Seattle, he said, “Oh that’s simple.  Craigslist.”

What a country.

Last week, Jim’s team and I agreed on which Sunday they will visit Buckhead.  Of course, I’m sworn to secrecy, even if the staff has already tried to bribe me a few times.  And while I am very intrigued about their future visit and feedback, the truth is that this happens every Sunday. Likewise, it happens for every business. People are rating your efforts every day.  It’s easy to shy away and ignore potential difficult feedback, but you ignore this at your own peril.  You hide from the opportunity to take another step toward your potential, and that’s very dangerous.

I love Buckhead Church, but I can’t let my passion for this place blind me from our shortcomings.  For sure, we have plenty of shortcomings but the longer I work here the more difficult they are to see.  One of the ways I have learned to make these shortcomings more visible is to invite and listen to feedback, especially from guests and first-timers.  And while this can be potentially discouraging, we have to remind ourselves that our goal is not perfection.  Perfection is unattainable in any organization.  The goal is growth and continual improvement.  And sometimes, growth is painful.  But the slow, quiet death of an organization, a church or a business, is far more painful.  And many times avoidable.

So, yes, we’ve hired atheists, agnostics and unbelievers.  And it should be an interesting Sunday when they arrive at Buckhead on Sunday, ……

(You didn’t think I would actually tell you the date, did you?  :) )

Jeff

Step 1: Identify and invest in leaders you believe in.

He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Jesus then provides his men with a huge opportunity—to preach the gospel and heal the sick. As a leader, you have an abundance of responsibility and a capable team that can help you accomplish your goals. Continuously ask yourself: “Where can I begin to release more and more of my leadership?” This will free up time for you to focus on developing your leaders.

Step 2: Provide leadership development opportunities.

When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida.

In this passage, Jesus rounds up his men to debrief on their experience. This is the most important part of the leadership development cycle. In these moments Jesus was coaching his men. For both church and lay leaders, it is not enough to simply delegate your workload. The real value in each leadership opportunity is the lesson learned. As a leader, your insight and input into these experiences is what will catapult your apprentices to the next level.

How much of your time are you devoting to coaching those you have identified as potential leaders?

Step 3: Become more of a coaching leader.

Remember, leadership development is not a one-time task. The more consistently you integrate these opportunities into the culture of your work environment, the more prepared your leaders become. Don’t look at this leadership development cycle as another time-absorbing task. While you’re investing in your leaders, not only are you raising the level of leadership in your organization, your team is accomplishing quality work.

Step 4: Repeat often.

Allison Hodges, our host here at the Buckhead Clubhouse has a made a video JUST FOR YOU with all the “Parent Secrets” you need in order to have your very own “Family Knight of the Roundtable.” A night designed for family fun that will hopefully spark a meaningful conversation about how your family can become more “Honorable.” We hope you check it out!

Have fun honoring your family this month (and being honored by them, too!) and we hope to see you for the next KidStuf Live on March 7th!!!”

I see you as capable of extraordinary love. I see you as an individual with the potential to have abundant joy, in spite of your circumstances. I see you as having the ability to astonish people with your capacity for patience. You have it in you to be a really good person. You can do it. I promise. You possess an amazingly powerful gift of  faithfulness. I see glimpes of it in you all the time. And your built-in capacity to exhibit remarkable self-control would amaze even you!

If you could only see you the way I see you. You can produce these types of results in your life, if you’ll trust me. If you’ll believe in me and if you’ll believe in you. If you’ll believe in me and you’ll believe in you the way I believe in you.

And when you don’t, I won’t blow my whistle. I’ll sigh and start over again, never ceasing to believe in your great potential, cheering you on to even greater things.

So here’s my question for you today… What is one thing that according to the Bible, God expects of you and therefore believes is possible for you that you don’t see in yourself? I want to encourage you to add that one thing to the prayer we gave you Sunday and to pray it every day this week. For example, if  your one thing is “patience” and you are having a very difficult time in several areas of your life being patient with your boss, spouse, kids, boyfriend/girlfriend, a friend, roommate, etc., I encourage you to pray “God help me to see and to be the type of patient person you see and believe me to be.”
Remember, whether or not you believe in God, He believes in you!
I’ll go first, mine is envy. I easily become discontent when I compare who I am and what I have to others around me.”God help me to see and to be the incredibly blessed, very content person you see and believe me to be.”
What’s your one thing? (See Gal. 5:19-23 if you need some help)
joel