What I love about Lifechurch.tv

If you frequent this blog, you know that I have a lot of questions about leadership and video venues and such. Specifically I've written about Lifechurch.tv and the Lead Pastor Craig Groeschel. I don't generally talk specifics. I rarely mention the names of the churches I consult around the country for a variety of reasons. I try to talk ambiguously about churches when I have issues. But I've broken this rule when it's come to Lifechurch.tv. and it's point person. There are couple reasons for this.

I have and have had personal interaction with Lifechurch people. I know a half dozen people on staff including Craig G. Though "know" or friend may be a bit of a stretch with Craig. I hope he'd consider us friends. But we haven't talked in years. We're both pretty busy folks and haven't really had a reason to talk. My personal past is a bit sorted. I've had personal experience behind the scenes. I've had wonderful conversations with Bobby Gruenwald over coffee. He challenges my thinking and I hope I occassionally return the favor.

Regardless, I've asked a lot of question about video venues, internet campuses and such here on the blog, and used my neighbors at Lifechurch and Craig as the example of my wonderings.

I feel compelled to share a couple things with you, since I keep getting emails from people who don't understand my questions.

First. I think lifechurch.tv may be the most value based, learning church (as in systems thinking) of any church I've ever experienced. And while I don't value all the things they value the way they do, they are relentless about doing ministry and learning. This starts with folks like Craig and Bobby.

Second, They embrace risk, instead of run from it. Or at least they lean more into risk than status quo. Seldom do you find a church who risks as much, as often. In a way, their entire church is a risky project, one that might fail in a few years. That's not a shot at them. These are smart folks. They know this is true as well. I love this about them. the mission of God, as they understand it, is king. which is to say that God and his hopes for the world are what they risk everything for.

I can hear my cynical friends whispering in my ears at this point, but I'll continue. At some point it's okay to let yourself believe the best about others.

Third. I'm hearing things recently that excite me about Lifechurch and Craig specifically. I won't do into details, but I'll just say, that it takes a strong church to change your mind about things. To change values. Yes friends values can change. Go read some Chris Argyris and double loop learning. Other churches would do well to follow in their footsteps in this regard.

Fourth. And this is a not a shot. From a distance it appears as if, Craig is become more of a pastor and less of a personality. this is a tight rope he'll have to walk between himself. like we all do. But the more Craig speaks from compassion for others, the more I'm encouraged. All of our stories and messages come from our past and much of our theology is autobiographical. If that's true for Craig, then I hope to be as moldable as Craig is one day.

So, for the record. I love these guys. They have growing edges like the rest of us and I'll keep wrestling with them, not because I'm being critical of LC's ministry, but because I'm critical of my own.

I'm not sure this makes my relationship with them much less messy, but it some things I wanted to say. If you think less of me because of it, so be it.