My oldest son, Seth, started 6^th grade - middle school on Monday.  This was a big day for him, a little tearful for Mom.  John enters the 4^th grade and Mark will be starting preschool again soon.  To help prepare my Seth this Summer, he and I went through: the book: Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle: Honest Conversations About Sexual Integrity, by Stephen Arterburn, Fred Stoeker, and Mike Yorkey.  This was a great opportunity to connect with him and have great conversations about things that matter.  I would definitely recommend this to every parent. 

We had a busy summer, but a great Summer.  Here are a few highlights: 

Mission Trip to Questa, New Mexico:  We took almost 100 people to Questa to do a Vacation Bible School, a Community Cookout & Concert, & multiple Construction projects for needy families.  I served on the construction team as the rest of my family were involved in the VBS.  My highlight was helping an 82 year old woman get into a better mobile home that we installed and remodeled on her property.  Most importantly, she made a commitment to Christ and seems to be doing well.  Our follow-up efforts and prayer are to make sure that she has propane for the winter.  Her name is Mary and I would appreciate you praying for her. 

The Grapevine Campus Preview Services:  The Grapevine Campus gives us every indication from the preview services that it will be a huge success.  This has been an amazing, challenging time for FOTP.  As we stretch ourselves in faith, God is using our faithfulness.  We have assembled an incredible team there led by Charles Thornton.  We are looking forward to the Grand Opening on September 7^th and our eventual move to Faith Christian School’s new High School when it is completed.  I am extremely grateful to Faith Christian School and their willingness to partner with us.  

Last week we our family spent the week with my parents and my brothers family at Orange Beach in Alabama.  We had a great time crammed into a condo.  This worked great for me because my brother has 3 kids that are about the same age as my kids – so they were able to play together.  This gave me the opportunity to relax some and read. 

Confessions of a Reformission Rev. by Mark Driscoll:  This book is about the history of Mars Hill Church from its inception to over 4000 people.  It is an honest account of the struggle of this pastor to reach people, pastor a church, and break growth barriers.  I sincerely enjoy his books because of his pithy statements throughout the book.  He had me laughing almost every other page.  As a church planter, I could identify with his struggles.  The book was very therapeutic and made me think a lot about a lot of things.  I have deep respect for what Mark has accomplished and continues to attempt for the kingdom.  You may not agree with all of his conclusions and practices – but you can’t help respect his insight, commitment, and boldness for the gospel. 

Simple Genius by David Baldacci:  This is a fiction book that is a suspense thriller.  It involves military secrets, corruption, and murder.  Though I typically do not read much fiction – the book was handed to me by my father-in-law.  I could see the story unfold as a movie within my brain and found myself obsessively reading from one chapter to the next.  I can’t say I learned much, but it was entertaining and relaxing. 

Restaurants near Gulf Shores:  For those of you that know me, you know of my love of good food - something that I have tried my best to curtail over the past year.  However, I love seafood and was little loose on my diet.  If you travel to the area – two must dine at restaurants are – Bahamas Bob’s and The Original Oyster House.  Both are in Gulf Shores Alabama. Our family had a great time at the beach as my boys waged war on jelly fish and my wife enjoyed the ocean.  My favorite part of the trip was playing football on the beach with my brother, sons, and nephews.  Additionally, anytime my brother and I get together at a pool – a wrestling/dunking contest will take place.  My apologies to the other guests - whose leisurely frolicking was disturbed.

Until recently, my experience with multi-site churches has been somewhat limited.  I had attended multi-site venues such as Fellowship Church (Ed Young) and Northpoint (Andy Stanley).  For several years, I had envisioned that we would add campuses at some point at Fellowship of the Parks (FOTP).  However, that became sooner than later as I discovered more about them from Drew Sherman at Highland Meadows Church in Colleyville (I have a lot of respect for Drew - he is a very gracious person and has been extremely helpful).  Inspired by Drew, and after conversations with Charles Thornton (Teaching Pastor at FOTP), we concluded that Grapevine would be the best place to attempt a new location.  Charles has deep connections in the community and regularly speaks in secular environments.  The new location will be approximately 14 miles away from our Keller campus so it will be more difficult to send large groups of people.  However, I believe with Charles as the Campus Pastor & primary Teaching Pastor at that location, this first site will be largely successful.  I will try not to do too much damage as I will be speaking there once a month.  For more information on the Grapevine Campus: go to www.fellowshipoftheparks.com and click on "Grapevine Campus" or http://www.fotpfamily.com/content.aspx?page=52&pt=1&ls=0&ct=0 

The definitive book on Multi-Sites is The Multi-Site Church Revolution, by Surratt, Ligon, & Bird.  This book is published by leadership network is a survey of what multi-site churches are actually doing.  This book becomes a nuts & bolts guide to help pastors glean insights and plan additional campuses.  The book is well written and well researched.  

Additionally, Leadership Network has put together a series of conferences – Multi-Sites Exposed (http://www.multisitechurchrevolution.com/).  I attended the one in Seattle April 14/15.  The conference was great and very informative.  For me personally, Mark Driscoll helped me the most.  He basically gave a biblical apologetic for the use of multi-sites and even video multi-sites.  He shed tremendous light on something that I believe to be often misunderstood.  God has used a message by Mark Driscoll in my life on several occasions and I am very grateful for his insight.  In addition - the guy makes me laugh with his pithy comments.  You can view the conference session here: http://www.theresurgence.com/multi-site_exposed