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ATL to Florida

What a surprising trip. I traveled today from the ATL to Rosemary Beach, Florida. I’ll be down here all week serving with the Lighthouse Retreat. Lighthouse is an incredible outreach to families living through childhood cancer. This week a team of 100 adults and children will be serving a group of about seventy people all of who are living through a parents worst nightmare. There are a few things I have walked away from and felt like I can’t imagine life without. Marriage, parenting, North Point, Notre Dame Football, Braves baseball, Lighthouse to name a few. Anyway, I’m sure I’ll be giving you updates throughout the week about what goes on here. I say my trip was surprising because I brought about ten or eleven sermons on CD from North Point in case I got a bit drowsy on the drive. Turns out, I listened to about six of them on my six to seven hour drive. I don’t know of a whole lot of people who go back and listen to their pastor’s sermons for pleasure. Well, not a lot of people under the age of sixty-five. The sermons ranged from encouragement to get in a small group to being above reproach to fighting to repair family relationships. They left me feeling like I need to raise my standards, lead a small group, and call and tell my sister that I have been a terrible brother. (I did try to call her, and I have told her that before. Sorry Scarlett, you deserve better. Go get a tissue Mom; I’ll wait … better now? Let’s move on.) What a great privilege it is to have such a great teacher and communicator as my Pastor. In three years, I can’t believe I’m about to say this, I really have taken it for granite that I have a weekly opportunity to learn feel fed spiritually from my church. I’m not saying that this is where I’m supposed to get most of my feeding, but I am grateful that I’m still able to learn and feel inspired by my Pastor. Not a lot of church staff people can say that. If you haven’t listened to Andy or just feel like you need to be challenged, check out the sermon archive at North Point. Every sermon for the last four or five years is online in audio format, and quite a few are in video. Sorry for the commercial but I know that there are a lot of people (especially Student Pastors) that aren’t getting any consistent teaching. No you don’t have an excuse.

Fighting a Losing Battle

I got home yesterday and got my riding lawnmower officially fixed and running. I think riding lawnmowers are possibly the greatest invention ever. So I took the girls for a ride and cut the back yard again. I wasn’t real sure how Rylee would react but she seemed to have a good time. No fear at all in either of my girls. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing yet. I decided to, in true southern style, rig our little red wagon with a bungee cord to the back of the mower. We plopped the girls in the wagon and went for a little ride. Don’t worry mom, we’ll try and get some video up soon for you. We all went inside to rest when Savannah Grace had the idea to wash the car. I wasn’t really excited about it but the car did need a wash. The only thing is though, I live in Georgia and this time of year we have a steady influx of pollen falling on everything below. My little blue Saturn was already green (yellow and blue make green, choose glad-lock.) We went ahead and started washing the car. SG was right there with me for all of ten to fifteen minutes and then I was on my own. Being a bit of a perfectionist with a slight twinge of OCD at times I had to finish the car, inside and out.
By the time I finished washing and started on the inside, the pollen had already started showing up on the hood. This was a losing battle. I decided to keep going anyway. I finished everything up and I am glad I did it but I’m so frustrated with this pollen thing. {Warning! Youth Minister illustration incoming} I started thinking there was no point because despite my best efforts, this car was not going to stay clean. Working with students is a similar experience. We work with students more than likely because each of us has a difficult memory or painful experiences from our teenage years and we don’t want anyone else to grow up with the pain we carry. The only thing is, we almost never get to see the payoff. I know, I know “our job is to plant the seed.” That doesn’t make it less frustrating. Student ministry feels like a losing battle almost every time. Britt Kitchen, the Middle School Director at Buckhead Church (a campus of North Point) has a great illustration to explain Student Ministry. If you’ve ever traveled through Atlanta you know I-75 and I-85 merge together in the city. On the North end of Atlanta these two interstates split. If you take the wrong road it really doesn’t matter after fifty yards or even five miles. The difference is about ten miles on. That’s when your choice affects the rest of your journey. Working with students is similar. We’re with them in the city, during the merge. When they leave us (the split in the road) hopefully we’ve given enough guidance and encouragement to make the right choice. We can’t tell if our time and energy has been worth it immediately. You have to be ten miles or thirty miles down the road to see if you’ve made a difference. Most of the time, we never get that viewpoint.
I think that’s why Student Ministry feels like a losing battle. We can’t really tell what’s going on. We may never know. We wash but the pollen just keeps falling. The hardest part of doing any kind of ministry is working your hardest and then letting go of it and trusting God to do what God does. Not trusting Him to do what you hope but trusting His will. Even though we may not like it, or understand it, we have to choose His plan. That may be letting a student or child make a terrible decision and suffering the consequences. Student Ministry is a lot like parenting. I think the best situation is when the two go hand in hand. Parents partnering with ministry and ministry partnering with parents. That doesn’t make the work easier, and it doesn’t make the outcome any less cloudy. Washing the car together doesn’t stop the pollen but we can definitely help each other through hard times. In the beginning it’s God. In the middle it’s God. And most importantly in the end, it’s God. Thanks for letting us tag along for the ride.

Synergy and Simplicity

I love synergy. I actually don’t know exactly what “synergy” means but I love what my definition of it is. The last couple of days our Middle School Staff has been on an off-site planning meeting for our 7th & 8th grade Fall Retreat. Yep, that’s right; in March we did an off-site for an event in September. In the last year and a half our team has taken huge strides in an effort to become more efficient, more effective and better prepared ahead of time. We went from writing curriculum and shooting videos for Sunday in the week before to planning series three to four months in advance with a finished product available at least a month out. We also eliminated two camps in an effort to make our remaining events better and work with our student and parent’s schedules through the year.
Occasionally I find myself saying things like ‘that’s a luxury we have a North Point.” When thinking of synergy that statement isn’t applicable. I was speaking to a friend of mine recently who is frustrated with a continual conflict that continues to come up between him and another person he works with. I hear of churches doing events every month or environments two or three times a week. I’ve been in all those situations. I have experience on both sides of the fence. Synergy happens when people and opportunities are placed in optimum roles and times. At our off-site we split our team into two small teams to work on the two major pieces of a camp: production and logistics. For a long time we tried to handle both parts as a whole team. This only caused our meetings to go longer, accomplish less and frustrate people who check in and check out throughout the meeting. We used to pour a significant chunk of our camps and events budget into a summer camp that was a lot of fun to put on but was our least attended and had the blurriest purpose.
These are problems that every church and student ministry deals with. Staff issues, schedule conflicts, filling a calendar. These are also problems that only multiply with a larger staff, church or ministry. Having more people on the team doesn’t fix problems it amplifies them. That’s why I say the “luxury” thing doesn’t apply. Simplicity and strategy is accomplished when you’ve given your team an opportunity to have synergy. Letting people operate in their sweet spot, finding volunteers to do the same. Planning events based on purpose and strategy instead of how many weeks and months are in a year. Sure there are systems people that have good creative ideas and creative people that can help the organization and administrative side of things but you’ll get the most out of people when they are doing what they do best. You’ll have a better event, environment and staff if you’re operating in an organization that gives people a clear expectation time to be creative and strategic well ahead of time. No pastor, student or lead, should be writing his sermon week of for Sunday. No organization waits till the week before to secure a facility for an event, so why wait till that month to plan every detail of production. Give yourself and your team an opportunity to work to their strengths. K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) with everything you do. I like how Andy puts it best, “work ON it, not IN it.” Get away from your office; get the best music, snacks and people around you blow up your ideas.

Tilling the Soil

I spent a lot of time working in my yard this weekend. I have never had a more authentically Irish experience than tilling the ground with a straight edge hoe. This weird thing happened to me when we bought our house two years ago. I not only became a tad obsessed with yard work; I began to look forward to it. Granted, I do have a rider for the back, which makes life a lot more endurable, but nonetheless I still love getting out and working on the lawn. I took it all one-step further yesterday. I went out with the intention of pulling weeds in the flowerbed and ended up completely cleaning out and tilling one of our front beds. I say this was an authentic Irish experience because of the condition of the ground underneath. The soil had been covered up by fallen leaves and overrun by weeds for so long that there was no richness to the dirt. I continued working and thought to myself, “how is anything going to ever grow here again?” We will certainly try though. At any rate, the bed looks nicer with the weeds pulled and the debris cleared.
Today I began to analyze my flowerbed in a spiritual direction. You have to wonder if after seeing the mess we made of the garden, God asked himself the same question I pondered. Think about it, Adam had it all. Sure he still worked the land but if perfection was creation than whatever Adam planted is what grew. No weeds, no dead crops, no drought. Perfection in relationship and creation were the rule. Yet he still failed. Poor old Adam and Eve get all the blame but we are the ones who continue to allow the debris of life and weeds of sin to creep back into the garden. We know how to plant, how to keep out unwanted growth and bugs, how to properly water and fertilize the ground for optimum growth yet we still neglect, still starve, still allow the harmful things of this world in. Just think of the pride you see each Spring when just one of the fifty tulips you planted blooms. How beautiful it is and how much it adds to the beauty of Spring. Now put that into God’s perspective. His joy must be that and much more to see just one of us grow. Just as a farmer, He keeps on sowing, watering, feeding, and nurturing us knowing we may never burst through the ground of faith. He hopes beyond time; loves beyond death and gives when there is nothing left. As you look at the beauty that surrounds you in the coming weeks, remember what God is waiting and working for. Remember that He is the proud father waiting to brag on your beauty and strength. Remember His loving hands that fed and watered you. Remember Him.

Frustrating

Don't you hate it when the people you mooch off internet go out of town and turn their wirless off?! Oops...just kidding. Never happened. New post coming later today. Sorry to leave everyone without their Phillip fix.

Sometimes a Fever is Great

Yesterday my oldest daughter had a fever. As a young parent, getting news that your child is sick causes two reactions simultaneously. You are concerned for the health and wellbeing of your child while feeling a tremendous sense of doom and stress. I was genuinely concerned about her. When SG gets sick, it’s usually a highly involved situation. This time however, I felt that stress part a lot more. A sense of impending agony just began to creep up inside me. Anita had to go to a meeting, which meant Dad and the girls for the duration. Anita also mentioned that Rylee had been acting fussy all day. I came home prepared to be very patient and understanding. To my surprise, last night was a wonderful experience. Rylee seemed elated that I was home and played in the floor with her toys and being silly all night. SG had the lowest energy level she has ever had in her three years of life. She was content to lie on the couch and watch Mulan for the hundredth time or sit on my lap while I held her. As a Dad this might have been one of those moments of perfection. I got the chance to sit and hold my sweet little princess while my little Georgia peach was playing and laughing in front of me. It was a moment I’ll remember for a long time and bore them to tears with when they grow up.
I have to imagine that this is what God longs for with us. Moments to hold and console us, while His other children laugh and play in the creation He has designed for them. Even when we’re sick or caught in sin, He still hopes we’ll come running to Him for shelter. Why is it that we keep trying to deal with it on our own? There is something about being a man that makes a woman’s tears like kryptonite to our feelings. When SG has done something wrong my anger and hurt is melted to compassion and care when she begins to cry in the realization of her wrong actions. God, along with being all-powerful and jealous, is a loving Father. I have to believe that He would rather we come to Him in all situations; especially when we’ve screwed up or been hurt. His wrath becomes grace when we come before Him in repentance. Yet we keep running and denying time after time as if we could keep God in the dark. HE’S THE OPPOSITE OF THE DARK! He knows. He knows we messed up. He knows we’re going to mess up again. He knows we hurt and that it’s not always our fault. He knew all that and still says, “Come to Me.” He is a great God and an even greater Father. Take some time to crawl up on His lap and let Him hold you. If for no other reason than to give Him one of the “moments.”

Being Inside Is Hard Today

I know everyone is biased to where they happen to live but I don't think there is a place on Earth that has more perfect weather than Atlanta and Norh Georgia in the Fall and Spring. Today is one of those days that makes being indoors hard. I can't tell if I'm bored today because I have nothing to do or if I'm just wanting to get out of here and go home to my family. Either way, it's gorgeous outside. I've said for a long time that the only thing Atlanta is missing is the ocean. This place, despite the traffic, is perfect. Anyway, not a lot to talk about. My mind is preoccupied with the weather and the fact that Lost is on tonight. Peace.

Phillip McCart Is Not Famous

So my good friend Steven Furtick got uber-cyber famous by saying he's done with Technorati.  I mean he was already getting a bit of attention for being a phenomenal communicator and inspiring leader.  Now he's being referenced in the most random of conversations.  One blog even referenced him as and I quote, "this isn't the gospel according to Steven Furtick."  Crazy, huh?  Well, it's a great and terrible thing all at once.  Great because it will draw attention to Elevation Church and terrible because it will draw attention to Elevation Church.  Okay, let me expound a tad.  Steven welcomes the attention because he has the insight enough to know that someone will more than likely come to know Christ through all of this.  And that gets him super pysched.  At the other end of the spectrum as an infant church (in age only), Elevation would have probably liked being under the radar a little longer.  Oh well!  They have an incredible staff and great passion.  They will do just fine.  In light of all the attention though, I began to wonder what it's like to be so famous so fast.  I mean who doesn't want to be a minor celebrity at least for a while in their life?  In the same way that some people say they don't like Eminem so he'll put them in his songs, I'd like to list a few things or people I don't like.  Here goes: I'm Phillip McCart and I don't like Oprah Winfrey - to nice, to rich (my wife Anita McCart loves her though); Hollywood - to rich, to much influence; Political Parties - I tend to disagree with some agendas and policies; The IRS - actually I have no problem with them, seriously, forget I said anything; Apple computers - okay now I'm just trying to get free stuff.  Rich Butler, Larry Hubatka and Jason Carr all stand with me against my list.  Alright, now I'm shamelessly plugging my friends.  Anyway, for any of the Furtick haters out there let me assure you that Steven's intention was not to attract a cult fame.  He was simply sharing his thoughts.  He's a great guy, even better friend, and an amazing Pastor. I hope this was amusing.

Windbag

Alright, I woke up this morning and realized that my last post was a bit long. Sorry about that, I think better late at night. Anyway, I just read this great article on Jimmy Clausen in ESPN the magazine. Go ahead and talk your trash you "Irish-haters." He's already at Notre Dame and there's nothing you can do about. Go IRISH!!

I'm One Quarter Frustrated

I hate to lose. I just do, it’s a part of me. I’m a competitive person. Losing has different effects on people though. For example: when I experience losing I’m one quarter frustrated and upset and three quarters fired up. I can’t wait to get another shot. Others are completely devastated when they lose. And still others seem unaffected at all. I am playing on a men’s league softball team on Monday nights. We’ve lost all three of the games we’ve played. I am also coaching a boy’s soccer team of seven and eight year olds. We’ve lost both of our games so far. Of course I realize the common thread running here, my involvement, but my reaction to losing in softball is strangely different than that in soccer.
In three games of softball, I have managed to collect a five for nine batting record. That’s pretty good by any standard; yes it is slow pitch and no I haven’t struck out. I’ve only committed one error in the field and played quite well considering I haven’t had any coaching since age ten. Each time our team has lost I’ve been a bit self absorbed. I feel okay about a loss if I played well. Tonight for instance, we lost horribly but I was able to get one hit with an RBI or two and held a few base runners from making singles into doubles. I felt bad for our team but okay with my results. Soccer on the other hand, I’m merely coaching. I have actually no influence once the game starts. It really doesn’t matter whether I coach well or poorly. The result of the game is entirely out of my hands. However, I feel the full weight and responsibility of losing our games. I find this to be a bit confusing.
The competitive issue carries over into all aspects of life for me and I’d guess most if not all people who struggle with it. At work, I want my idea to be used and I want to have the most students attending. At home, I want to be right in every discussion. (I usually am…go ahead, ask Anita…wait, no don’t ask her. Forget I said anything.) Even in the neighborhood I look at the other lawns, cars, houses, grills and toys of all the people I live around. I want bigger, better, more bells and whistles, cooler, newer stuff than everyone else. This competitive issue or nature that we so casually blame our actions and reactions on isn’t competition at all. It’s pride. Pride and self-preservation is what pushes us. We don’t want to be thought of as needing, struggling or out of touch. Keeping up with the Jones’ is a struggle of self-centeredness verses contentment and joy.
I grew up in some humble circumstances but never went without. My wife and I have had a more difficult journey due in part to the situation of our upbringing. I have had to come to grips with the fact that people younger, less experienced, less qualified and seemingly less appreciative than me have and are given opportunity. I remember as a young teenager literally asking God why people who didn’t believe in Him got to be tall, good looking, rich and have clear skin. This underscores the whole issue. Pride makes us think and function as if life was all about us. Pride is in opposition to a life lived according to God’s hierarchy and example. Pride is jealousy justified. Andy has an incredible talk on jealousy. Jealousy is summarized in three parts: “You owe me. I owe me. God owes me.” I’d speak more on this but I’d butcher it. For now I’ll just tell you to check out Andy’s book, It Came From Within. If you’ve never read his stuff, you’re missing out.
I suppose the one good thing about losing is the reminder that there is always someone better than you. Humility is the antidote to Pride and Jealousy. Think about the people you hold in highest regard and you’ll find the most humble people in your life. Those people usually don’t lose either; but if they do, they are the first to congratulate the winners.