Several of us from church were at a conference today and among the videos they showed was this one from Youtube. It is a must see... I've watched it about 6 times with our whole family; it is absolutely classic. Take a look...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
FISHING is here!!!!
FINALLY! Tracy's Dad brought over the boat today and I took two of my kids out for about 90 minutes. We didn't get a single bite. It was incredibly windy, especially in that small boat. The dock wasn't at the landing which made the entry/exit a bit tougher. And it was AWESOME!!!! Just to get out onto the water was fabulous! We watched 2 eagles going back and forth grabbing fish from the water. When we got home, my daughter wrote out the big paper that show the Fredlund family fishing records from 2007 (top 3 lengths of each type of fish) and what will be for 2008. We, as a family, are stoked.... although we are off to a tough start.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Reproducing Transformation
I just finished day 2 of a 4 day conference in Orlando centered around reproducing churches. It has been a whirlwind of great information and great networking. I'm hanging out right now with 3 other church planters and have met a ton of people over the past couple of days. There are about 3,000 people from across the world attending this Exponential Church conference.
Over the past few years we have refined the purpose of New Hope, "To honor God by making passionate followers of Jesus Christ through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit" and our core value as "Transformation through Grace, Growth, and Generosity." This has really allowed us to focus what we are about and how we make ministry decisions. However, as we have been challenged to refine our vision to the point of making it portable, Andy Stanley challenged us. He asked, what is the vision of the "One" campaign that Bono is leading -- "To make poverty history" - sure, there are more details with that, but it is memorable and everyone knows what it is about. He asked, what the vision of Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barak Obama were... the only one people knew was Obama's "Change" - everyone shouted it out. The point is that vision must be simple to remember and portable. As Pastor Bill and I have chatted about our already refined purpose and vision, we started dialoguing about a perhaps even more refined vision. We toyed with "Reproducing Transformation". The idea here is that we want to be transformed and to reproduce that transformation in other individuals (through mentoring), through small groups, and churches. We are about transformation and we are about reproducing that transformation in others. Perhaps this does not discuss all of the theological elements of it, but we need to be able to clearly articulate what we are about. "Hey, what is New Hope all about?"... "Reproducing Transformation."
What is small groups about? Reproducing transformation
What is mentoring about? Reproducing transformation
What is children's ministry about? Reproducing transformation
What is Sunday morning services about? Reproducing transformation
Why do we have adult sunday school? Reproducing transformation
What is mens, womens, seniors, young adults about? Reproducing transformation
Why do we plant churches? Reproducing transformation
What d'ya think?
Over the past few years we have refined the purpose of New Hope, "To honor God by making passionate followers of Jesus Christ through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit" and our core value as "Transformation through Grace, Growth, and Generosity." This has really allowed us to focus what we are about and how we make ministry decisions. However, as we have been challenged to refine our vision to the point of making it portable, Andy Stanley challenged us. He asked, what is the vision of the "One" campaign that Bono is leading -- "To make poverty history" - sure, there are more details with that, but it is memorable and everyone knows what it is about. He asked, what the vision of Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barak Obama were... the only one people knew was Obama's "Change" - everyone shouted it out. The point is that vision must be simple to remember and portable. As Pastor Bill and I have chatted about our already refined purpose and vision, we started dialoguing about a perhaps even more refined vision. We toyed with "Reproducing Transformation". The idea here is that we want to be transformed and to reproduce that transformation in other individuals (through mentoring), through small groups, and churches. We are about transformation and we are about reproducing that transformation in others. Perhaps this does not discuss all of the theological elements of it, but we need to be able to clearly articulate what we are about. "Hey, what is New Hope all about?"... "Reproducing Transformation."
What is small groups about? Reproducing transformation
What is mentoring about? Reproducing transformation
What is children's ministry about? Reproducing transformation
What is Sunday morning services about? Reproducing transformation
Why do we have adult sunday school? Reproducing transformation
What is mens, womens, seniors, young adults about? Reproducing transformation
Why do we plant churches? Reproducing transformation
What d'ya think?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Future at age 93
In New York, I listened to a 93 year old guy who was still incredibly spry and intense. He did a quick little history lesson of the stock markets, interest rates, and inflation and how the sub-prime mortage issue is the same yet different from other crises the U.S. has faced. He discussed the situation in the U.S. in light of the Japanese issue from a few years ago. At the end of the brief history lesson he said, "well that is the past; we need to focus on the future and where we go from here." It dawned on me that this guy recognizes that he is just part of an ongoing conversation; an ongoing story. Most older people I know can't get out of the past because they realize their past is the majority of their entire life; their future is such a small part of their entire life that they brush past it with the greatest of ease. However, in the light of society; of humanity; of generations... the future is significant. How can we all be like this gentlman and work to solve the problems of the future even though they may not impact us directly? How can we get tear down the walls of generations that limit our decision making to how it impacts only us and realize that "generations will reap what I sow" (credit Sara Groves)?
The other part I love about old people is that they can get away with saying stuff others never could (at least in the $2,000 suit crowd I was hangin' with). Someone asked him a question about how the sub-prime mortgage crisis could impact regulations and the overall tightening of the regulatory environment. He got heated. He said, "We have the regulations we need to prevent this. We just didn't have the regulators with the balls to do anything about it!" There was stunned laughter. It was great. I don't know if I totally agree, but it was a great comment.
The other part I love about old people is that they can get away with saying stuff others never could (at least in the $2,000 suit crowd I was hangin' with). Someone asked him a question about how the sub-prime mortgage crisis could impact regulations and the overall tightening of the regulatory environment. He got heated. He said, "We have the regulations we need to prevent this. We just didn't have the regulators with the balls to do anything about it!" There was stunned laughter. It was great. I don't know if I totally agree, but it was a great comment.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Book Update 2
So, I'm sitting at the MSP airport waiting for a flight to NYC. I took the offer of a $300 voucher, first class on the later flight with a hot meal, and some airport food to get bumped to a later flight. It wasn't that tough of a decision, because I feel like I had a book breakthrough last night. I've been pounding out the book since Wednesday night (whenever I wasn't lured away by Tracy, the kids, Easter dinners, Game Cube, March Madness, or family movie night). OK, so I didn't write as much as I wanted... but I did write some. I finished about 54 pages (double sided) which I was pleased with. But last night, after talking a bit with my genius wife, I got an idea that I've been running with ever since. So this morning, the decision to wait on a flight to give me more time as well as bumping to 1st class (I've never ridden 1st class) to allow me to work on the laptop on the flight, was an easy decision. I'm cranking on the book write now like a little kid in a candy store. Who knows if this new approach (which is a different lens, but still largely the same information) will stick, but I'm excited to run with it. Thanks to those of you who have encouraged me by phone or email; I don't deserve friends like you, but I'm grateful. Your encouragement has helped keep me motivated. Latedr...
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Book Update
So I started writing my book tonight. I'm just approaching it as a mind dump of ideas that I'm trusting will congeal over time. I started with an introduction which I thought was kind of fun, not too serious, and gave a flavor of who I am and how I'm wired. It was about 3 pages long and just kind of a warm up; something to give me a little confidence to throw myself into this project. Excited about my first 45 minutes of "work", I was very confident that it would be "safe" to show my lovely bride.
Let me take a moment here to let you know that we've been married about 16.5 years and she is the most honest person I've ever met. It used to really annoy and anger me, but over time I've learned to appreciate that so much. I always know how she feels and where I stand. I once sang a song at church (many years ago) and when I got back to my seat knowing it wasn't that great, but expecting some comforting encouragement from my bride. Her first words to me were, "Well, once you pick a key you stick with it."
Now, back to my early story. She read the introduction I quickly sketched out. The first words out of her mouth..."It's cute." I'm not sure I need to comment any further here. Apparently I missed the mark quite dramatically on my introduction. So, anyway, for those of you who have been asking about my book and potentially might be interested in reading it... you may need to change your expectations.... my working title is now, "A cute approach to discovering leadership." We'll see, maybe we can de-cute it before it goes to print.
Let me take a moment here to let you know that we've been married about 16.5 years and she is the most honest person I've ever met. It used to really annoy and anger me, but over time I've learned to appreciate that so much. I always know how she feels and where I stand. I once sang a song at church (many years ago) and when I got back to my seat knowing it wasn't that great, but expecting some comforting encouragement from my bride. Her first words to me were, "Well, once you pick a key you stick with it."
Now, back to my early story. She read the introduction I quickly sketched out. The first words out of her mouth..."It's cute." I'm not sure I need to comment any further here. Apparently I missed the mark quite dramatically on my introduction. So, anyway, for those of you who have been asking about my book and potentially might be interested in reading it... you may need to change your expectations.... my working title is now, "A cute approach to discovering leadership." We'll see, maybe we can de-cute it before it goes to print.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Bulls-Eye
So, I created a diagram, and have been working on it with my mentor, that shows my life focus as the target (the "bulls-eye") with other elements surrounding that target. I use this depiction to then look at several elements of my life: which are lined up with my bulls-eye and which are pointed in the wrong direction; which are those I am committed to do and which are optional; how is my income allocated among these versus how my time is allocated; which are utilizing my strengths; and what tools do I have in my tool shed. This bulls-eye concept has never been part of the discussion groups I lead at Thrivent, but invariably the idea would come up and several people have asked me about my bulls-eye.
Based on the interest expressed in the group and one-off conversations I have had, it looks like I am going to start a group to help others find their bulls-eye. I don't know what the process will look like, but I anticipate sharing how I went through the process (at times formal; at other times informal) and see where this leads us.
All of this is background to say that I'm still rattling around one response from a friend of mine and trying to determine what it means. This person said they would not want to participate because they are very content with their life and would not want to introduce anything that would cause upheaval. I'm interested in someone being "scared" to find out their sweet spot in life, but I think I get it. I also wonder if that response is simply an indication that the person is already in their sweeat spot - that their life is already operating in their bulls-eye.
Should be interesting if/when it gets off the ground.
Based on the interest expressed in the group and one-off conversations I have had, it looks like I am going to start a group to help others find their bulls-eye. I don't know what the process will look like, but I anticipate sharing how I went through the process (at times formal; at other times informal) and see where this leads us.
All of this is background to say that I'm still rattling around one response from a friend of mine and trying to determine what it means. This person said they would not want to participate because they are very content with their life and would not want to introduce anything that would cause upheaval. I'm interested in someone being "scared" to find out their sweet spot in life, but I think I get it. I also wonder if that response is simply an indication that the person is already in their sweeat spot - that their life is already operating in their bulls-eye.
Should be interesting if/when it gets off the ground.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Fishing Hunger
The temperatures are now in the 30 degree range, the snow is just starting to melt a little bit, and we are only about 6 weeks from probably ice-out on the lakes. I can almost taste the water, the fish, the line, the worms, the lures, the joy, the sun.... I can almost feel the tug on the line as the largemouth grabs the Rapale or the northern takes the Daredevil. I can; I can almost taste and feel those things. I saw about 2 minutes of a fishing show today and had to turn the channel... I just couldn't continue watching footage of guys bringing in four pound bass.
Last year we used my father-in-laws boat for the entire year; a 16' Lund with just a trolling motor... it was awesome, but we couldn't get too far across a lake with that motor. This year, I have a line on a 6 horse motor which is slightly better and still looking for something a bit bigger - but with no money to spend, it makes it a bit more daunting. This year we will pick up the boat even earlier (as soon as the snow melts) and get it ready for hitting the lakes.
There are very few things I anticipate so much that I just can't wait for. In fact, the list might just be fishing and heaven. OK, perhaps my kids welcome when I get home from work or a trip.
This winter I've run into a number of folks who have said they'd take me out this summer... prepare for me to take you up on that. Jason at Evergreen, you WILL be taking me northern & muskie hunting!
Last year we used my father-in-laws boat for the entire year; a 16' Lund with just a trolling motor... it was awesome, but we couldn't get too far across a lake with that motor. This year, I have a line on a 6 horse motor which is slightly better and still looking for something a bit bigger - but with no money to spend, it makes it a bit more daunting. This year we will pick up the boat even earlier (as soon as the snow melts) and get it ready for hitting the lakes.
There are very few things I anticipate so much that I just can't wait for. In fact, the list might just be fishing and heaven. OK, perhaps my kids welcome when I get home from work or a trip.
This winter I've run into a number of folks who have said they'd take me out this summer... prepare for me to take you up on that. Jason at Evergreen, you WILL be taking me northern & muskie hunting!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Book Writing
I'm so excited... I'm finally going to take the step of taking time away to start wrtiting a book. I think I know the direction I'm going to go with it, but it will be interesting to see what kind of momentum I get on that. I'm planning to spend about 4 days (generally uninterrupted) and see what happens. It's one of those "avoiding regrets" or avoiding the "what if's" in life. I don't have a bucket list, but if I did, attempting to write a book would be on it. The primary audience for the book will be myself and serve to capture my thoughts as a 37 year old trying to figure out this leadership thing.... it will be interesting to compare it to my thoughts in 5-10 years. Should be fun..... it's nice to think that even when life is crazy busy, it can work out to chase a dream now and then. What are your dreams that you have not been able to chase?
Monday, February 4, 2008
Ice Fishing
So, my son and I spent about 6 hours ice fishing on Friday with some friends who have moved out of town. The fishing sucked, but we had a great time. The bulk of the time was spent just playing cribbage and shooting the bull... but there was one moment of great excitement. One of the rattle reels starting turning and we all jumped up and ran to the corner hole. Mike set the hook and starting bringing it in... his son and I saw the Walleye swimming by a few feet below the ice... nice fish. Didn't take long, however, for the line to snap and off she went. Dang! For the next several hours, the disappointment of missing the fish would come back up to the surface and we'd all share our disappointment before moving back to another subject.
As I thought about the fun day we had, I thought about how the conversation would have been different if we would have caught a different fish after that and been able to bring it in. It's just like life... as things happen to us, we make mistakes, or "the big one gets away" in life, we become pre-occupied with that negative experience until the point at which something good replaces it. The old attage, "get back on the horse" is critical in my life... if something doesn't go the way I want, I will live with that memory... it is important for me to replace that negative memory with a new memory rather than allow that memory to dwell and fester.
I think I need to go ice fishing again soon.
As I thought about the fun day we had, I thought about how the conversation would have been different if we would have caught a different fish after that and been able to bring it in. It's just like life... as things happen to us, we make mistakes, or "the big one gets away" in life, we become pre-occupied with that negative experience until the point at which something good replaces it. The old attage, "get back on the horse" is critical in my life... if something doesn't go the way I want, I will live with that memory... it is important for me to replace that negative memory with a new memory rather than allow that memory to dwell and fester.
I think I need to go ice fishing again soon.
Monday, January 28, 2008
StrengthsFinder
I find it interesting that this summer, I felt like I had way more to write about than I had time to write it. I wonder if the reduced frequency of my blogging is related to the fact that I'm not outside as much in winter or if I'm busier or if I'm just out of stuff to say. I don't think I'm out of stuff to say, cuz man I talk plenty. Perhaps I'm just out of a rhythm with my blogging... yeah, that's probably it. There really is a lot going on to talk about because.
A few years ago I took the StrengthsFinder assessment (highly recommended) and my top 5 strengths were determined to be Learner, Relator, Achiever, Strategic, & Self-Assurance. I have been using this (along with other assessment results) to help me make decisions and understand situations. I have become such a believer in this that I'm now in the middle of leading a group of 16 people at Thrivent through this process. It's been great to see people start asking more questions of themselves and potentially embrace the "build on your strengths" paradigm rather than the "work on your weaknesses." I was a bit concerned because one person in the class said she just took the assessment again after a couple of years and all 5 of her strengths were different. That might just mean she is very well-rounded, but it made me concerned about the validity of the assessment. A couple of things have reaffirmed the value:
1) Of the 16 people, 13 are working actuaries, 1 is an actuarial VP, 1 is an industrial engineer, and 1 is an accountant. Although all are highly technical, the 3 of the entire group that had the least in common with others were the VP, engineer, and accountant.
2) When I re-took the test, 4 of the 5 remained the same (including Learner as #1 each time); my "strategic" was replaced with "responsibility."
I used to think this stuff was all psycho-babble until I had a number of assessments done for various reasons and went away for a couple of days to pray over them and look for common themes. It was remarkable as I started looking back to see where in my life I was thriving and where I was discouraged. They were highly correlated with the use (or not) of my strengths. Since then, my mentor has been tremendously helpful in using the knowledge of my strengths to help me understand my feelings in various situations.
I highly recommend the book for yourself or for any team that you are on; it is a great tool for forming teams and understanding teammates.
A few years ago I took the StrengthsFinder assessment (highly recommended) and my top 5 strengths were determined to be Learner, Relator, Achiever, Strategic, & Self-Assurance. I have been using this (along with other assessment results) to help me make decisions and understand situations. I have become such a believer in this that I'm now in the middle of leading a group of 16 people at Thrivent through this process. It's been great to see people start asking more questions of themselves and potentially embrace the "build on your strengths" paradigm rather than the "work on your weaknesses." I was a bit concerned because one person in the class said she just took the assessment again after a couple of years and all 5 of her strengths were different. That might just mean she is very well-rounded, but it made me concerned about the validity of the assessment. A couple of things have reaffirmed the value:
1) Of the 16 people, 13 are working actuaries, 1 is an actuarial VP, 1 is an industrial engineer, and 1 is an accountant. Although all are highly technical, the 3 of the entire group that had the least in common with others were the VP, engineer, and accountant.
2) When I re-took the test, 4 of the 5 remained the same (including Learner as #1 each time); my "strategic" was replaced with "responsibility."
I used to think this stuff was all psycho-babble until I had a number of assessments done for various reasons and went away for a couple of days to pray over them and look for common themes. It was remarkable as I started looking back to see where in my life I was thriving and where I was discouraged. They were highly correlated with the use (or not) of my strengths. Since then, my mentor has been tremendously helpful in using the knowledge of my strengths to help me understand my feelings in various situations.
I highly recommend the book for yourself or for any team that you are on; it is a great tool for forming teams and understanding teammates.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Lots o' Stuff
Hey crew... man what a whirlwind of stuff going on. Every day I have bloggin' on my to-do list, but every day other priorities take over - tonight I thought, I HAVE to get my thoughts down (to honor my commitment I've made to myself to do this).
Don't worry, I'm still gettin' some free time.... although today was a long day at the office (8:00am-6:00pm) and a ton of work to do tonight, I still made time to bring my kids to school (after a quick stop at the bakery), have lunch with my daughter, play 35 minutes of Game Cube (I beat all 3 kids in MarioKart -- oh yeah!), and order my wife a book she's been dying to get on-line. So don't think it's all work & no play!
Here's some of the things I've been invovled with that have been very rewarding and have contributed greatly to my leadership journey:
* Speaking at New Hope on 12/30/07 (continued learning as I expanded the circle of people I've brought in to the creation process) and scheduled to speak on 1/27/08; also scheduled to speak at Evergreen Community Church on 2/24/08.
* Teaching adult Sunday school which has continue to extend my understanding of God's overall plan for humanity and the stuff that our predecessors walked through
* Leading a lunch time discussion group at Thrivent on StrengthsFinder
* Starting to teach (tomorrow!) a weekly Leadership course at Cambridge Christian School to High School juniors & seniors
* Facilitating an all day staff & leadership meeting on 1/11; this did not go as well as I'd hoped but the learnings for large-group facilitation were huge and insights from the group were valuable
As you can see, it has become incredibly obvious that my life is moving more and more toward teaching, facilitation & relationships compared to the 100% technical (actuarial) that occupied my life less than two years ago. My biggest area of development continues to be in the area of relationships - in the actuarial world, as long as you did your spreadsheets rights and could somewhat explain them, you were considered a genius... in the relationship-driven church leadership world, success is measured quite differently and far less objectively. I'm so thankful for those who continue to believe in my gifts and encourage me as I march forward in my journey.
Life is good. Praise the Lord.
Don't worry, I'm still gettin' some free time.... although today was a long day at the office (8:00am-6:00pm) and a ton of work to do tonight, I still made time to bring my kids to school (after a quick stop at the bakery), have lunch with my daughter, play 35 minutes of Game Cube (I beat all 3 kids in MarioKart -- oh yeah!), and order my wife a book she's been dying to get on-line. So don't think it's all work & no play!
Here's some of the things I've been invovled with that have been very rewarding and have contributed greatly to my leadership journey:
* Speaking at New Hope on 12/30/07 (continued learning as I expanded the circle of people I've brought in to the creation process) and scheduled to speak on 1/27/08; also scheduled to speak at Evergreen Community Church on 2/24/08.
* Teaching adult Sunday school which has continue to extend my understanding of God's overall plan for humanity and the stuff that our predecessors walked through
* Leading a lunch time discussion group at Thrivent on StrengthsFinder
* Starting to teach (tomorrow!) a weekly Leadership course at Cambridge Christian School to High School juniors & seniors
* Facilitating an all day staff & leadership meeting on 1/11; this did not go as well as I'd hoped but the learnings for large-group facilitation were huge and insights from the group were valuable
As you can see, it has become incredibly obvious that my life is moving more and more toward teaching, facilitation & relationships compared to the 100% technical (actuarial) that occupied my life less than two years ago. My biggest area of development continues to be in the area of relationships - in the actuarial world, as long as you did your spreadsheets rights and could somewhat explain them, you were considered a genius... in the relationship-driven church leadership world, success is measured quite differently and far less objectively. I'm so thankful for those who continue to believe in my gifts and encourage me as I march forward in my journey.
Life is good. Praise the Lord.
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