developing lifestyle worshipers

North Side’s senior pastor, Jeff Lethco, does a lot of things well.  Recently, he added authoring to his credits as he finished his first book, Before You Change a Thing.

Book description:

Church leaders today are being bombarded by a growing number of voices about how to lead effectively. Unfortunately, some things that need to be said aren’t being said at all. And if they are, they aren’t being said loudly enough. This books examines eight truths that can empower any church leader in any church setting to succeed in their calling while remaining true to themselves, true to their church, and most importantly, true to God and His principles for spiritual leadership.

North Side made a bunch of transitions.  We still are.  Yet, due to God’s grace and a great leader, we have maintained who we are while changing some of what we do.  Hard balance to make.

I write this today when our Southern Baptist Convention is having their annual meeting.  Jeff is in attendance and there is much disagreement over certain actions the convention should take.  In a time when the harvest is ripe, we need leaders who aren’t ashamed of moving forward if there is legitimate reason to do so.  I see so many church leaders try to be edgy (and I said “try” on purpose) for no reason at all.  The desire is to be different or hip without purpose of transforming lives.  I also see church leaders stuck in their ways so much that they will disagree with anything that disrupts tradition.

Brothers and sisters, we must start living and leading in such a way that allow the methods to change while keeping the message intact.  I am so thankful to follow a pastor who exemplifies this.  If you haven’t picked up your copy of Jeff’s book yet, you can do so at Amazon or at North Side’s bookstore.  Great read that will challenge and equip any church leader or volunteer who wants to improve their church without losing everybody.

Today is a bittersweet day.  It is Hannah Nichol’s last day on the North Side staff.

It is bitter because we are losing one of the best employees a church could ever ask for.  It is sweet because we are so excited she is marrying Traylor this weekend and they get to start their kingdom focused marriage together in Columbia (and I’m the lucky minister who gets to officiate!).

While I’ve been Hannah’s boss for the last couple of years, I also feel like an extra protective brother to her.  So as I’ve gotten to know Traylor over these last months, I am so relieved that she is marrying such a godly guy.  I am so excited she is already plugged into a great church at Midtown.

When I met Hannah at Lander, she was an amazing student with a ton of influence at Lander.  I watched her grow more and more like Christ everyday.  It was amazing to watch her stand firm and reach out to those far away from God on that campus (not many people can do that).

When she graduated, she came on staff as a receptionist, she spent some time on the missions team, and then on the worship team.  Serving as a reference for her in her job hunt, I told this to someone about Hannah: “It is rare to find a person with technical skills that people actually like.  It is rare to find someone with technical skills with administrative skills.  It is rare to find a person who can organize stuff, get the job done, and yet still be a person that people are drawn to.  Hannah is all that and so much more.”

While she has served in numerous roles at this church due to the fact that she is so stinkin’ talented, her biggest print on our fellowship is that she has invested in lives and encouraged people to be more like Jesus.  And for that, I am forever grateful.

“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” -Philippians 1:27

What about you?  How has Hannah changed your life?  Let’s make this an online scrapbook for her thanking her for her service to our church.  Share the love!

Yesterday, you might have spotted members of North Side’s staff cruising around in the NS van in random places with video cameras and all.

Why was Jeff seen on a John Deere tractor (and many other things)?  It’s part of his attempt at a wish list.  When I say random, I mean random.  You will be able to some of Jeff’s wish list on Dec. 6th when the new North Side series begins entitled “A Pastor’s Wish List.”  More of his wish list will be revealed every week.

While we have some funny things to show, the series is all about his desires to take place in the next year in the life of our church.  I can’t wait for this series to hear the heart of a pastor who loves God so much and desires this congregation to get it.

Can’t wait.