Ron's Blog::Elevating Communication

Building Update #9

Today was another huge day at the brewery. We patched roofing. We set 'curbs' for our three new HVAC units on the roof. Finished painting the auditorium ceiling. And began some of our exterior renovations...

Paint by Number

I asked the painting crew this afternoon how many gallons of paint we have gone through getting the brewery ready. They told me the total amount of primer and paint was over 250 gallons! They are not even done yet! It looks amazing though!

I want to thank Ace Hardware for their generosity and commitment to doing things in this community that really matter!

Kiss my Grits: a leadership trait

Grit is a willingness to commit to long-term goals and to persist in the face of difficulty.

According to Harvard Business Review and other researchers, "grit" predicts who will stick it out at West Point military academy or the National Spelling Bee. Apparently grit is not determined by age. It is not based on intelligence, social status or gender, but simply because they are more committed, more willing and more persistant.

Which explains why I was afraid of Beth Hull in grade school! She totally would destroy me. :)

But here is the deal: If you find yourself wondering as a leader "why can't I get my people to..." perhaps (and this is just one lens) they realize that a little third-grader at a spelling bee would kick your behind! 

You want people to follow you? You want to see long-term change? You want to outlast the enemy? Then you better dig deep into the nitty gritty of leadership. And for the rest who would rather play leader than be one...you can kiss my grits!

 

 

Building Update #8 (COLOR!)

We are about 8 weeks from being operational at the brewery and this week is all about being colorful...

Staffing Changes

This past weekend we announced that both Leah and Christian will be pursuing new opportunities here in Mankato and beyond. There is no drama. There is no conspiracy. They are simply aligning their passions and desires with God's vision for their lives. 

Elevate is committed to training the next generation leader. We have invested heavily in both of them. But we must be willing to release those resources into the expansion of the Kingdom. We must never forget whose resources they really are!

So here are the details:

Christian Kohs came to us six months ago wanting to plant a church in Mankato. Elevate was the only church that responded to an email to local pastors to hear his heart. We heard it and responded! Let's be clear: there are plenty of lost people to reach here and the more good churches, the better!

Christian has a core group that supports him financially and will begin meeting soon. We are excited for him and wish him well in the pursuit!

Leah Wilhelm began in 2010 with us to explore what a church could become creatively. She brought much needed rest to worn out volunteers as well as raised the bar in organizing our worship ministry. Elevate in turn created a full-time position to invest in the future. 

Leah has been pursuing opportunities in the cities close to home that give her even more freedom to explore her God-given dreams, passions and incredible style! No matter where she goes, they have this amazing spirit to look forward too! We are proud of her! 

 

 

Building Update #7

This weekend we are giving tours of the brewery from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. These pics do not do justice to the amount of work that has been done recently, but thought I would share for those that are not close enough to just walk in...

Pastor: defined

For years I wanted to have the title, "pastor". God had clearly promised me that would be the case nearly 8 years ago. So being young and dumb, I thought that meant NOW. Needless to say, after being in full-time vocational ministry for about 5 years I realized I didn't want to be a pastor. (That's apparently when God thought it was time to make good on his promise.) I dodged it for about a year after that. I finally realized the gravity of such responsibility...

Would I really be willing to die to self?

Ready to enter into the messiness of people's lives (as well as my own)?

Truly thinking about others above myself?

Ironically, the more I avoid the title, the more lives are entwined in mine. 

Pastor is not a title, it's a risky dangerous vulnerability that requires less and less of you and more and more of God.

And within that is a promise. Not the one I thought though. The reality is, the promise to care for others, to pastor:

Will bring you to your knees.

Will bring you to tears.

Will bring you to the edge and require you jump.

Will bring harm.

The sheer laundry list of toxic people who only want to feed their ego instead of the poor, who want to shelter their pride instead of those on the street, who would rather justify themselves rather than act justly makes me want to vomit. People who call themselves Christians. Some who call themselves "pastor."

But the promise of less of you brings hope for more of God in people's lives. As titles fade and transparency colors your relational landscape people can find more of what matters (which is not us).

I do not deserve the title of pastor. I often wonder if I am making any difference at all. And maybe that's the point...because it is not about me.

So God, bring the pain, the tears, the scars, the brokenness if it means I have to depend on you. Bring me to my knees to have a proper view of your world. Bring me to the edge and tell me to jump. Bring people who are toxic and try to harm. That way I recognize those things in me that still must die.

Define me.

 

Building Update #6

Everyday I go into the brewery and find something drastically changed (in a good way)! There is so much activity that I find it hard to keep up with it all. Here are a few pics of the latest drywalling as well as the first sneak peak of our new platform and gathering spot...

Family Ministry Entrance (soon to have a wall of glass/doors)

Green Room Window (also donated by Lindsay Windows)

The Gathering Spot Entry

Foyer leading into Gathering Spot

Building Update #5 (Lights)

This summer we bought a building devoid of life and lights. I am here to tell you all that changed this week! We are starting to feel illuminated!

Foyer and future home of The Hub

Sprouts (Toddlers)

14,000 feet of data cable (That's over 2.5 miles!)

UpStreet (K-5th)

Finally. Somebody better than me :)