"Who Moved My Cheese"

"The next generation product almost never comes from the previous generation." —Al Reis

"To reach people no one else is reaching, we must do things no one else is doing" —Craig Groshel

300,000 unchurched people within a 10 mile radius of Buckhead Church (170,000 North Point, 35,000 Browns Bridge). I don't want this to ever stop bothering me. The more successful you are, the more you'll feel good about who IS coming instead of who is NOT coming.

"Become preoccupied with who you haven't reached as opposed to those you are trying to keep." —Reggie Joiner

"What do I believe is impossible to do in my field, but if it could be done would fundamentally change my business?" —Future Edge

_The revolution that video preaching has created, allowing leaders to be separate from communicators.

_Existing (but dying) churches that own real estate need to give it up to new churches that are reaching a new generation.

-You have to have both hands up and a blindfold on if we're taking over" (Andy on converting existing churches to our model.)- Pay attention to the people who are breaking the rules. Who has the biggest church in America? Oprah. 3 million people and no parking problems.

What's in decline? Where are we having to manufacture energy?What would fresh eyes see? What would they set out to do?

"When your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near"

Don't let success or momentum overshadow your vision. Keep the vision out in front."There has to be something that breaks your heart, that reflects the broken heart of God.

" —Andy Stanley"We could give away free gas (referring to the political issues in the news) all summer long and it wouldn't stop one husband from leaving his family. What we have to offer is the most important answer for life's questions." —rough quote from Andy Stanley

I am reading a book that has been in my library for some time but I never read. In fact I am not even sure where it is right now. One of my mentors in life and ministry sent it to me, it is call "Who Moved My Cheese".

I read it in one sitting without stopping and as I was reading I wrote thoughts all over the pages. Man, did God ever speak to me through that book. It should be a required reading for all Church staff. I want to share some of the thoughts with you.

* Most people are afraid to let go of the old cheese (ways of doing things) but if you don't let go of the old, you can't grab the new.

* If you refuse to change you become extinct and a museum of what has been.

* Smell the cheese often so that you know when it is getting old. In other words what you don't access will regress (go backwards).

* Those who eat the cheese (success) are those who imagine it when it is still far away. They can smell success before they step into it.

* Whatever your dream is you must visualize on a daily basis.

* Most people are afraid of change because they ask what will I lose? The proper question is what will I gain?

* If you don't enjoy the journey, you will not have the strength to finish the journey.

* It is safer to take a risk and search in the maze then to remain in a cheese less situation.

* Your behavior follows your beliefs. Most try to change the behavior but the behavior will not change till your belief system changes. If you have a mindset of poverty and you win the lottery, withing a short period of time you will be broke again.

* Timing is important to change, if you wait too long, the door of change will close and you will be locked in you present from your future.

* Successful people anticipate change, plan for change, and ride the wave of change.

* Don't worship the brook that God uses to bless you, it will eventually dry up and you will have to move to the next thing. Some people are still sitting at the brook waiting for God to do something, when God said through the brook it is time to move on.

To be continued tomorrow (Man this book is off the chain).

Blessings,
Craig Sloan