schedule | More Than Dodgeball

Josh GriffinMore Posts Book Review: Green Like God

Just finished up reading Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for Our Planet, a new book by Jonathan Merritt. The book is an attempt to reclaim environmentalism from the left, and make Creation care an issue that everyone should care about, regardless of political sides. According to Jonathan, caring for God’s creation is largely a spiritual issue and an act of worship to the Creator. He’s careful to distinguish between worshipping the creation and the Creator, and is quick to admit the shortcomings of his own journey. I like it that just a few years ago he held many of the traditional (read: irresponsible) views that many Christians still share.

To be honest, green is a “something” to me – I still have a loooooong ways to do – but loved the series we did called Save the Planet a couple years ago and The Refinery at Saddleback was Lake Forest’s first LEED-certified building. All in all, I really dug the first 2/3rds of the book – before it begins to read like any other environmental book you can’t seem to avoid these days. To me, what sets this book apart is the Biblical perspective on creation and our responsibility to care for it, which was refreshing and encouraging to read.

JG

1 View Comments August 11, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts Book Review: Switch

Finished a great book this weekend – Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard. HSM has been in a continual state of change the past several years – starting with the change in leadership to the opening of the Refinery student building to now the promotion of some of our key players up into church leadership. Saddleback was built on change, and it is showing no signs of stopping. Anyhow – the book, right?

I absolutely loved Chip and Dan Heath’s previous book, Made to Stick, and this is another of that same incredible caliber. Switch is all about the elephant and the rider – how different forces within each of us interact with each other to push toward or resist change. The book offeres great practical insight, clear direction and tons of exampls to lead and influence significant change. A couple great chapters in particular gave me some insight into why people leave when others stay, how to frame change so it is attainable and letting bright spots lead your change efforts. Brilliant stuff, perfect for what I’m leading us through in our ministry these days. So good.

JG

Add Comment June 13, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts Book Review: Pure Scum

Over the holiday weekend I read through Pure Scum: The Left-out, the Right-brained and the Grace of God by Michael Sares. It is the story of a pastor who followed God’s wandering path for years through the birth and death of Five Iron Frenzy and the birth of a church called Scum of the Earth. Mike’s story is one of encouragement and solace for those taking the long way into full-time ministry. His church is anything from normal – Mike recounts the history, miracles and values of the movement they are working to create in Denver. His church is church without the usual trappings and traditions, but also without the angst of the anti-church-as-it-is movement. Mike sees a place for both, while fiercely believing all should be busy reaching the low and the lost. For a church planter, or someone wanting to be encouraged to think different about church, this book would be good reading.

JG

1 View Comments June 2, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Summer 2010 Calendar

Here’s a look at HSM’s summer calendar of events (click the image to blow it way up). Couple of things that we’re trying this year:

Emphasis on low cost events
Camp is really the only event that has a price tag on it this summer – and we’ve decreased the price by more than $100 from last year. Most of the other events might cost a couple bucks, but probably not much more than that. The economy is hitting us where it hurts right now, so we’re making a conscious effort to go cheap.

Tons of relational opportunities
In the summer we still have programs (like our weekend services) but wanted to move away from more events and activities and head toward spaces where we can hang out, play, eat, relax, have fun and challenge students toward Christ. Programs fit us very well in the school year, when we have more time we try to kick back more.

Room for spontaneity and margin
We don’t have a jammed-full calendar this summer – although it looks pretty solid, not empty by any means. We have room for vacation, room for new ideas and get togethers we invent on the fly, time for plenty of conversations, planning and of course … getting ready for the big September back to school launch and small groups.

JG

10 View Comments June 1, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts Book Review: Linchpin

Just finished up Seth Godin‘s latest book, Linchpin: Are you Indispensable? This is easily one of the best business books I’ve read so far this year – the emphasis is that the cogs in the wheel are infinitely replaceable and that creative artists are the real linchpins of the workplace. There were so many great learnings in the book for me – primarily that the art of relational youth ministry far outweighs the ability to get tasks done. You have two choices in the new world: be the best at something in the world, or do something so uniquely and specially that no one else can do. I loved the segment about “thrashing” and shipping products – how we’re tempted to process and brainstorm very late in the launch of a product and end up sabotaging it in the end. I want to be the linchpin in our youth ministry – what I bring to the table is excellent and unique that I become indispensable to the church. I want develop my team of staff, interns and volunteers into linchpins. Easy to read segments (like blog posts strung together) and super easy to translate to the church and youth ministry, too.

JG

3 View Comments May 30, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts Book Review: Steering Through Chaos

Finished up reading Steering Through Chaos: Mapping a Clear direction for Your Church in the Midst of Transition and Change. It wins the award for the longest subtitle in book history – and it is a great read if you’re in transition. And let’s be honest, who isn’t? Even in a “change-friendly” church like Saddleback, there were great moments in the book where I nodded about resistance to change and the importance of early and strategic change to spur on more growth. Too often leaders are too eager to make change or miss the optimal window – both cause problems and division. One of the best keys in the book was recognizing the chaos that leadership creates when we make change, and how that is part of the process. It hits on a few familiar themes like authenticity and the leadership gap (with frequent nods to Good to Great, etc), and forges new learnings with chapters focusing on all too often overlooked prayer and celebration. The last couple of years in HSM has been nothing but change so lots to connect with for me, this book will help you navigate it in your church, too. Good stuff.

JG

Add Comment May 25, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts Read the First Chapter of Our New Book!

Live Large Preivew

Want to read the first chapter of Live Large Shine Bright Be Different? You can (embedded above) right here – hit full screen and enjoy! I hope the book will be useful for your students – we’re giving them to graduates next month as a gift from our student ministry.

JG

1 View Comments May 14, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts Book Review: In-N-Out Burger

Finished up In-N-Out by Stacy Perman – I bought a copy for a friend a while back but when I saw it at the bookstore recently I couldn’t resist picking up a copy for myself. For the uninitiated, In-N-Out is a Southern California hamburger chain that is known for fresh burgers, quality food and great people. The family-owned business is extremely simple and remains faithful to the original little hamburger stand. Went there for lunch with the team, not coincidentally.

Anyhow, it is a lengthy book. I’m a huge In-N-Out fan but got bogged down with so many names and details – I wish the book was a hundred pages shorter – I motored through it because it is quite the tale. Why are there crossed palm trees in the front lawn of every store? What’s the story behind the Scripture verses on the bottom of every cup? With such amazing food, why are they limited to locations in just a handful of states after all these years? The book answers all of those questions, and fills you in on the ups and downs of family-run business. It also pounded again and again in the message of simple. I love how In-N-Out takes care of their people, and likes to let their product do the talking.

JG