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Sacred Roads: Exploring the Historic Paths of Discipleship
Author Archives: Heather
Be a Protege
Four years ago, Mark Batterson and I sat at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants…across the street from the National Cathedral…and dreamed up the Protege Program. Well, we didn’t actually dream it up. We stole it from Steve Saccone and … Continue reading
IF…
When I came on staff at National Community Church in January 2002, my first responsibility was to plan our first ever Leadership Retreat. A decade later, I am now heading to my eleventh leadership retreat. I’m pretty sure it’s the … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Leadership, National Community Church, Small Groups
5 Comments
Online Leadership 101
Two years ago, we blew up our small group system in a project called Operation Kaboom. One of the changes we made was in the way we offered initial training to potential small group leaders. Under the old system, potential … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Developing Leaders, National Community Church, Small Groups
Tagged Leadership 101, online, small groups, Training
7 Comments
Theology of a Teenager, Part 2
Yesterday, I talked about the beginning of my theology adventure with Michelle. Here’s the rest of the story. Michelle read Theology and Galatians, learned more about Jacob Arminius than she ever thought she wanted to know (and heard me talk … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures, Cool People, Discipleship
Tagged discipleship, michelle, NYC, teenagers, Theology
3 Comments
Theology of a Teenager, Part 1
Last summer, my friend Michelle asked me if I would teach her theology. Here’s a little background on Michelle. She’s 15 years old, in high school, navigating tricky relationships with friends, and wrestling through her convictions on any given day … Continue reading
Posted in Cool People, Discipleship
Tagged covenant, discipleship, michelle, teenagers, Theology
2 Comments
Beauty in the Tension
Tension is important. Without it, the physical laws of the universe would not work. Tension keeps planets in orbit, my tennis racquet strung properly, and tightrope walkers secure as they hover above the audience below. Tension brings a beauty to … Continue reading
Favorite Blogs of 2011
My blogging productivity diminished greatly in 2011. I will blame the book-writing process for that. This is a list of my favorites from 2011. Not necessarily the most popular, insightful, or important. Just the ones I like the best. Never … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures, Cool People, Discipleship, Leadership
Tagged 2011, Emily Hendrickson, favorites, greece, Jenilee Lefors, Maegan Stout, NCC, Ryan Zempel
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Advent Prayers
Evangelicals aren’t exactly known for their attention to the liturgical calendar, but I’ve found that it often provides helpful goals and a much needed rhythm for my spiritual life. This year, I decided to follow the Advent Scripture readings from … Continue reading
The Christmas List- Updated
A few years ago, I started posting a Christmas list. Things to do at least once in your life. Some of them should happen every year. This year, I’ve added a few updates. See Handel’s Messiah live. Participate in a … Continue reading
God Anthology Album
The God Anthology Album releases on 11.22.11. I can’t even begin to say how excited I am or how proud I am of our worship and creative arts team. Here’s the back story. At our Annual Staff Planning Retreat in … Continue reading
Posted in National Community Church
Tagged God Anthology, Kurtis Parks, music, Steph Modder
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Unlearning What You Have Learned
I learned to shoot a basketball yesterday. I know, it sounds crazy. But I really did. One of my friends has some pretty stinking awesome credentials. Number 2 point guard in the nation in high school. Played under Coach Summitt’s … Continue reading
The God of Jacob
I rarely ask my readers for any favors, but today, I’m asking for one small request. In about 10 hours, we leave for our Uprising Student Ministry Getaway. Could you lift just a quick prayer for our students and our … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Discipleship, Preaching/Teaching
Tagged Bethel, Jacob, Jenilee Lefors, Uprising
1 Comment
I Don’t Care
I’m not known for empathy. I’m a pastor that rarely hears the word “care” on the other side of my title to describe what I do. Several months ago, I refused to offer a comforting throwaway line of “It’s all … Continue reading
What I’m Telling the Proteges About Catalyst
I am a conference junkie, but I attend conferences differently today than I did 10 years ago. Tomorrow, I leave on a jet plane for my 7th Catalyst Conference. At Catalyst #1, I sat in every session, took notes on … Continue reading
Posted in Developing Leaders, Leadership, Uncategorized
Tagged Catalyst, conferences, Protege
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Guns and Legos
Yesterday, my schedule included, “Leadership Covenant training, lego construction, gun range.” Yep, I’m a discipleship pastor. Here’s the deal. Our 3-hour Leadership 101, the initial online training that all NCC small group leaders are required to complete, is being updated. … Continue reading
Go In Twos
We are discipled by people, not by programs. Discipleship happens when we invite people into our lives as we are living it. Sometimes that happens in my home. Sometimes it happens around food. More often, it’s happening on the road. … Continue reading
The Mr. Potato Head Altar
Boxes. Packing tape. Bubble wrap. And files that go back ten years. NCC staff moves into new office space today, and that means I’ve spent the better part of the last 48 hours sorting, sifting, and packing my stuff. It’s … Continue reading
Posted in Cool People, National Community Church
Tagged Altars, Brian Hill, Gratitude, Kim Hill, Leslie Adams, Markers, Memories, Nathan Gonzales
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How to Not Go Crazy
This weekend, I had the privilege of hanging out with some leaders at River’s Edge Community Church in Montreal. During dinner on Friday night, one leader asked me how I took care of myself as a leader. On good days, … Continue reading
One Crazy Idea: CHIPOTLE!
It’s One Crazy Idea Week. I’m surrounded by crazy people doing crazy things, and all of them were fueled long ago, once upon a time, by one crazy idea. In this series, I want to introduce you to some of … Continue reading
Posted in Adventures, Cool People, Discipleship
Tagged Chipotle, Jenilee Lefors, Michelle Peverley, One Crazy Idea, Summer Batterson
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One Crazy Idea: Bittersweet
It’s One Crazy Idea Week. I’m surrounded by crazy people doing crazy things, and all of them were fueled long ago, once upon a time, by one crazy idea. In this series, I want to introduce you to some of … Continue reading
One Crazy Idea: New Rhythm Project
It’s One Crazy Idea Week. I’m surrounded by crazy people doing crazy things, and all of them were fueled long ago, once upon a time, by one crazy idea. In this series, I want to introduce you to some of … Continue reading
From the Archives: The Dreaded Question- Of or With?
This one is an oldie…and once got me in trouble with my good friend Bill Donahue. The Dreaded Question- Of or With? originally posted on February 3, 2006. Are you a church of small groups or a church with small … Continue reading
From the Archives: Modulus of Elasticity
Still trying to write a book…so here’s a little gem from the archives. Modulus of Elasticity first published on March 28, 2008. I was thinking about the modulus of elasticity yesterday. Yes, I tend to think about such things. Blame … Continue reading
From the Archives: Wear Out Your Welcome
I’m trying to write a book…ughhhh…which means my blogging is anemic. So, instead of letting this thing go dark, I’m bringing you some of my personal favorites from the archives. Wear Our Your Welcome originally posted on May 4, 2009. … Continue reading
From the Archives: When the Mess is Of Your Own Creation
I’m trying to write a book…so this week I am bringing you some of my favorites from the blog archives. When the Mess is Of Your Own Creation was originally posted on October 27, 2010. I’ve been talking for a … Continue reading
From the Archives
Alright folks, I’ve obviously not gotten any blogging in over the past two weeks, and it’s not looking promising for the next couple weeks either. So, next week, I’m going to dig into the archives and post some of my … Continue reading
I’m Writing…I Promise
My blogging has slowed to a paltry handful of posts every few weeks, so I thought I should offer an explanation. So…please take this post as it is intended. Not as self-promotion. But as a pitiful, lame, desperate excuse to … Continue reading
Theology and the Power Ballad
Your prayer life and eighties rock music are linked. I’m not even kidding. Here’s just a little window into Heather Zempel’s sermon prep process. The process is always a little bit different, but it always includes lots of Biblical study, … Continue reading
Delays and Detours
Life is an adventure. And if you have ever experienced a road trip with me, you know this to be true. It seems every time I travel, a delay or detour is always in my path. Take today, for instance. … Continue reading
The Table of Emmaus
The Road to Emmaus is a familiar story to many of us, especially those who grew up with the Vacation Bible School stories of the post-resurrection celebrations. But I’m not convinced the road was the most significant setting of the … Continue reading
The Milkshake is the Muse
“O Muses, O high genius, aid me now!” (Dante, The Inferno) “I need to write. I need to write. I need to write. I need to write. I need to write. Oh…there is leftover pizza in the fridge!” (Heather Zempel, … Continue reading
Leaders Must…Be Healthy
For the past 8 years, I have spoken at every Leadership Summit we’ve hosted at National Community Church. This year, I’ve changed the game. At our last Leadership Summit, we did a series of TED Conference styled talks. Six Leaders. … Continue reading
Posted in Developing Leaders, Leadership, National Community Church
Tagged Health, Leaders Must, Leadership Summit, Protege, Travis Mason
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Leaders Must…Live in Rhythm
For the past 8 years, I have spoken at every Leadership Summit we’ve hosted at National Community Church. This year, I’ve changed the game. At our last Leadership Summit, we did a series of TED Conference styled talks. Six Leaders. … Continue reading
Posted in Developing Leaders, Leadership, National Community Church
Tagged Leaders Must, Leadership Summit, Rhythm, Will Johnston
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Leaders Must…Be Present
For the past 8 years, I have spoken at every Leadership Summit we’ve hosted at National Community Church. This year, I’ve changed the game. At our last Leadership Summit, we did a series of TED Conference styled talks. Six Leaders. … Continue reading
Leaders Must…Leave a Legacy
For the past 8 years, I have spoken at every Leadership Summit we’ve hosted at National Community Church. This year, I’ve changed the game. At our last Leadership Summit, we did a series of TED Conference styled talks. Six Leaders. … Continue reading
Leaders Must…Fail Well
For the past 8 years, I have spoken at every Leadership Summit we’ve hosted at National Community Church. This year, I’ve changed the game. At our last Leadership Summit, we did a series of TED Conference styled talks. Six Leaders. … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, National Community Church
Tagged Andy Pisciotti, failure, Leaders Must, Leadership Summit
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Leaders Must…Find Gaps and Fill Them
For the past 8 years, I have spoken at every Leadership Summit we’ve hosted at National Community Church. This year, I’ve changed the game. At our last Leadership Summit, we did a series of TED Conference styled talks. Six Leaders. … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, National Community Church
Tagged Jason Yost, Leaders Must, Summit
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Why You Should Be in a Small Group
I can tell someone they should be in a small group until I am blue in the face. I can stand up on a Sunday morning and speak commandingly and convincingly of the theological and sociological need for community. But … Continue reading
Posted in National Community Church, Small Groups
Tagged small groups, Video, Will Johnston
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Leaders and Insecurities, Part 3
I’m discovering three different responses to leadership insecurities. There are insecurities you have to grow through, insecurities you have to ignore, and insecurities that you just have to wrestle to the ground. Today I’m going to tackle the ones we … Continue reading
Questions I Am Asking
I’m asking some new questions these days. I’m asking them of myself and also of the young leaders I meet with: Where have you led recently where you felt like you were firing on all cylinders? Where have you led … Continue reading
Leadership Summit…TED Style
Once a semester, we host a Leadership Summit at NCC. A gathering of all ministry leaders and small group leaders for the purpose of sharing vision, worshiping together, encouraging one another, and ongoing training and leadership development. Usually, I stand … Continue reading
Creative Vomit
On Sunday night, Larry Kramer won a Tony Award for his play The Normal Heart. The next day, I discovered that my old theatre buddy Elyzabeth Wilder wrote about a conversation she had with him almost 20 years ago: When … Continue reading
Leaders and Insecurities, Part 2
I’m discovering three different responses to leadership insecurities. There are insecurities you have to grow through, insecurities you have to ignore, and insecurities that you just have to wrestle to the ground. Today I’m going to tackle the first one. … Continue reading
Leaders and Insecurities, Part 1
Every leader faces insecurities. We just don’t talk about them. Because that would somehow undermine our leadership, right? So many of us walk around masking ourselves while we encourage those we lead to remove their own masks. The vast majority … Continue reading
Reflections from Greece
I’ve been to Greece twice this year. Crazy. Who gets to do that? I am so thankful for my job. In February-March, I traveled to Greece and Italy for an academic study tour with Ryan. And again the past couple … Continue reading
God Anthology
We are kicking off a new sermon series, CD project, and small group curriculum at NCC this weekend. The God Anthology. Check it out here.
Posted in Bible, Curriculum & Books, National Community Church, Small Groups
Tagged Curriculum, God Anthology, small groups
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Natalia’s Story
“If slavery isn’t wrong, nothing is wrong.” -Abraham Lincoln This is why I am in Greece with 14 NCCers this week. We are joining the new abolitionist movement. These things should not happen.
Parenthood
Today was a full day in Greece. Preaching, big Greek lunch, exploring the Roman Forum and St. Demetrius Greek Orthodox Church, orientation at the A21 Campaign offices, and a team viewing of the film Human Trafficking. But the highlight of … Continue reading
Four Hours in Rome
Background: I am leading a team of 14 NCCers on a mission trip to Greece to support the A21 Campaign as they combat modern day slavery and sex trafficking. The Twist: Our flight from Boston to Rome was delayed for … Continue reading