Updating my Life

During the past year I have been doing LifePlans and Strategic Plans through Planspective.  (www.planspective.com)

While I will still continue to do LifePlans and Strategic Plans, I am excited to join the Kardia Consulting team!  After Tim Avery, President of Kardia, and I worked together in Adventure Christian Church’s Generosity Campaign (helping increase ministry funding with a capital campaign to follow), it quckly became apparent that we shared the same heart for the church and increased generosity.  So, in early May, I officially became a part of the Kardia Consulting team - www.kardiaconsult.com .

Kardia offers a full slate of generosity/stewardship coaching and strategy options.  Given the downturn in ministry giving, many churches are jumping on the ^MFG – Increased Ministry Fund Giving.  Capital Campaigns are in place with several Christian Churches, including Christ’s Church of the Valley San Dimas (Jeff Vines) and LifeBridge (Rick Rusaw).  Kardia offers an amazing tool; the Financial Capacity and Trend Assessment that helps leaders gain accurate understanding into the real-time giving environment.  Now, we can offer LifePlans and Strategic Plans as well.

The thing that most excites me is a brand new coaching strategy called - Six Best Ministry Practices; Designed for small, medium and large sized churches that I get to help design and implement.  My personal life calling is to help 1000 churches make significant impacts in their communities while their pastors experience joy in serving.

Six Best Ministry Practices is a subscription service plus an hour of coaching per month, building in the implementation and accountability.  It will be affordable for churches from 75 and up.  Final details are shaping up be and we plan to introduce the program at the North American Christian Convention in July.

If you are going to be at the NACC this year, I’d really like to visit with you and I know Tim would love to meet you.  You can stop by our booth - #407 - or call me on my cell (707) 718-3730. I’ll buy the coffee. 

 We will be offering a free Financial Capacity and Trends Analysis (FCTA) plus a 30 minute free consultation to everyone who signs up at our booth.  This is not a stripped down version, but it is a complete snapshot of your giving trends for the past four years.   The FCTA is integral to effective planning and decision-making.  Churches that are not in a campaign derive incredible value from the FCTA, finding it to be the necessary field-guide that reveals the must-have strategies that lead to increased giving.

Kardia is Greek for “heart.” Our heart beats for the local church and because it does, we want to do ALL we can to help increase your leadership effectiveness in the areas of generosity and stewardship.  Please stop by booth #407 to sign up for your complimentary gift.

(If you are not going to be at the North American, you can email me and I will see that you get your free FCTA.)

Why Grandparents Should Connect with Grandchildren

Recently I heard Bill Bennett say that Raisa Gorbachev's doctoral dissertation on communal farming in the Soviet Union proposed that the only way the State could get their philosophies inculcated and thus breakdown a family farming culture into a state-owned culture, was to remove the influence of grandparents from the lives of the grandchildren and thus remove the transmission of values to future generations.

It made me realize how important it is for grandparents to intentionally have input into the lives of their children and grandchildren.

Our family lives 4 generations in one house-- intentionally.   Sometimes people look at us like we are weird, or at least counter-cultural, so, for the foreseeable future, we are going to try to blog weekly about living multi-generationally.  We know it's not for everyone, but we are learning some things that may be helpful to some.

The transmission of family values and godly values takes place both intentionally and also serendipitously.  The dinner table is one of those places where values are transmitted.  Intentionally we try to ask, "What was the best part of your day?"  Serendipitously the great-grandchildren learn about a God who is real and very dear when my father-in-law prays for the meal.

This didn't happen overnight,  it began almost 40 years ago when my wife, Jan, and I made a decision to stay, if God allowed, within 2 hours driving distance of both sets of grandparents because they were godly and good.  We wanted that influence in their lives.  For 38 years they have blessed our children's lives, and now our children have made the decision to stay close by.  A value was transmitted and now goes on.

A Horny Tale

 Every day for weeks, this goat (I’d say, “Stupid Goat” but I’d get in trouble with my grandson), would get his horns through the wire fence and get caught.  Every day, someone had to go out and free him from his predicament. 

Finally, after a couple of weeks, the owner taped a piece of PVC pipe across his horns so that he couldn’t get into trouble in the first place.  It looks kind of funny, but it works.

Now, unable to get to the greener grass on the other side of the fence, he contentedly chews his cud.

There is a lesson for us.  How many times do we have a recurring sin or bad habit that keeps us stuck?  How many times do we have to get bailed out of trouble?

Because we have an underlying lack of trust in God, we get involved in destructive behaviors or worse, sin.  These tend to hang us up over and over again. The difference between us and goats is that we can tape our own piece of PVC across our weaknesses and sometimes help ourselves.  

Here are a couple of “PVC Fixes” that might be common to many.

• Pornography on the internet—Set a content filter and let your accountability partner set the password. I use X3watch  www.x3watch.com
• Procrastination—Log on to www.habitforge.com and get a daily reminder to accomplish that which you have been putting off.
• Gluttony—Join Weight Watchers or another group.

I’m sure that some of the other goats probably make fun of Mr. PVC, but he is able to make a go of it now.  Some of your friends may scoff at having external motivations, but sometimes we need them to help us move forward.

Last thoughts:  If we don’t figure out our own PVC solutions, God may tape his own solution on our head through circumstances, a board, or a spouse and the result may be a “time out” for restoration.  We need only look to the Old Testament to find numerous examples of God's intervention.

OK, now I’ll do my timeout for saying “Stupid”.

Bill Hybels

It requires courage to be a covenant keeper.

Keeping life in perspective,

Marcus Bigelow
Sent from my phone

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Rollerblading through Ministry

Every leader I know wrestles with the balance between work and family.  Every Christian leader I know wrestles with work and family in the context of living their life in God. Recently my coach offered a great analogy that has helped me put things in perspective.

Any two legged form of locomotion, skiing, skating, rollerblading, even walking, requires a tension between your right and left leg to go forward.  Progress is made only when you push from one leg to the other and back again.

 If you walk on one leg only, it’s called hopping.  If you try to rollerblade on one leg only you will go a short distance (usually in a circle) and then you will fall down as momentum stops.Always, there must be the tension between your right leg and your left leg. 

The same is true between work and family/personal life.  There is always a tension between the two.  When you are doing work you are not doing family.  When you are doing “quality time” with family you are not doing work.  So how do we move through life?  It is by focusing energy on the work side for a while and then consciously pushing off to the family/personal side for a while and then back

.

Too much focus on the work side without transfer causes us to eventually fall down and burnout not only ourselves but our family and friends as well.  Too much focus on our family/personal side causes us not to accomplish all that God wants for our lives in the ministry/work domain.

To be effective we must spend a little time figuring out how to move the tension back and forth between domains, explain to our families and co-workers how this works, and then do it.  At first, everyone will want you to stand on one leg only.  But as they see your effectiveness in both domains blossom, I believe they will be glad to help you with the shifts.

One more kicker, many of us try to do both at the same time.  This is a problem.  Rather than transitioning back and forth, we try to combine work and family (bringing the email home or doing family things at work).

Try this, stand up, try to move forward on both legs at the same time.  (You can do it, but it looks funny and uses huge amounts of energy for very little progress)  Now, try transferring the energy from one leg to the other (walking).  See, it works!

Your silence is confusing me

Recently I had a relationship go silent.  I had sent a proposal, was expecting a reply—and nothing --just the deafening roar of silence.  I needed an answer.   With every day of silence, my insecurities grew stronger and more persistent. 

As my inner voices became louder they wrote scripts that went something like this:  Day one—he must be busy; Day two—maybe he’s going to reject me and doesn’t know how to say it;  Day three—I wonder if he treats all his friends like this;  Day four—I guess he’ll never respond.  So, how am I supposed to respond eight days after a deadline?  (I’d tried a couple of gentle nudges to see if I could get a response.)

My natural response is to be hurt and respond hurtfully.  (Hell hath no fury like an insecure ego ignored!)  And in my heart I know that type of response is rarely helpful.

In God’s providence I’d just entered a coaching relationship with a godly man and I share his wisdom with you.  (BTW, if you are looking for a coach, you should investigate Ministry Coaching International, www.ministrycoaching.org)

Dick said, “I find that my confusion and ignorance rarely intimidates anyone.”  So, if you ask,” I’m confused about where we are now, can you clarify our situation?”  You won’t start a war but rather open a dialog. “

I so like that advice and because I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets insecure when people are too busy to respond, I share it with you.

Here’s the deal:  I wanted to say, “Why haven’t you responded?” which attacks and places blame on him. 

Dick taught me to say, “Help my ignorance and confusion” which gets the same information but allows the blame to rest on me.

As a follow up, Dick suggested that acknowledging my insecurities and what they do to me further defuses the situation if it becomes necessary.

With my bare hands and a 2X4

I heard the dog barking, saw blood dripping from a neighbor’s goat, and immediately was transformed from mild mannered Marc Bigelow to protector of the flock with murder in my eye.  I don’t say that lightly.  I was bent on killing those dogs with the 2X4 gripped so tightly in my hands.  I had reverted several layers down Maslow’s hierarchy and several centuries back in civilization. 

This morning I read 1 Samuel 17. 34 David replied to Saul, "Your servant has been a shepherd for his father's flock. Whenever a lion or bear would come and carry off a sheep from the flock, 35 I would go out after it, strike it down, and rescue the sheep from its mouth. If it rose up against me, I would grab it by its jaw, strike it, and kill it. 36 Your servant has struck down both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be just like one of them. For he has defied the armies of the living God!"

Now I wasn’t facing a bear or a lion, but I think I could have killed one of those dogs with my hands had it been necessary.   Such is the protective urge inside of us.

For David, the height of his protective instinct was to strike down the Philistine because he defied the armies of the Living God.   I’m still in a bit of shock over my own reactions, but today I’m wondering if I would be as concerned about protecting the flock of God from a marauder.   I think about some elders and pastors I have known who have stood boldly against someone attacking the church and then I think of others who cave in to cynicism and agree with the critics of the church. 

I re-read Ezekiel 34 and Acts 28 today.  As church leaders, we are called to protect with our lives the flock God has entrusted to us.  It calls for calm at times, but it also calls for wild-eyed adrenalin pumping action at other times.    Shepherds know when to do both.  But remember, sheep need calm leadership, wolves need bold confrontation.

Three Goats

Yesterday I tried to rescue three goats from a pack of dogs who were attacking them.  The largest goat eventually had to be put down because he was too badly injured.  As I ran to the neighbors to help I watched a drama that is so appropriate at Easter.   While one dog savagely attacked the big goat, the others ran into the stable to attack the two smaller goats.  Though bleeding profusely, the big goat ran into the barn to help save his two little companions.  He drove the dogs out at least twice while I was running to help. 

In driving the dogs away from the smaller goats, he ended up giving his life for his friends.  One of the little goats was hurt, but will survive.  The other was uninjured.  Had it not been for the big goat, those smaller goats would have been killed.  Though dripping in blood from numerous injuries, the goat kept fighting until we arrived to drive off the dogs.

Jesus laid down his life a sacrifice for you and me.  Without the defeat of Satan, we all would have been destroyed.  Some of us “little goats” have been injured in this life, but we will recover because Jesus refused to quit until Satan was defeated.  

A great read- Free on Kindle for the next couple of days

The story of David and his mighty men-- Written by a soldier

http://www.amazon.com/Day-War-Lion-ebook/dp/B004TGNNGE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1329791790&sr=8-2 

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His Eye is on the Sparrow

1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
   Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
   When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
   His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
   His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
   • Refrain:
     I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
     For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
2. Early in the spring of 1905,Civila Martin and her husband  were staying in Elmira, New York. She says, " We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience."

Watching a flock of sparrows this morning I was reminded of God's care.

Sunrise and Spring

Sunrise, the most beautiful time of the day.  Geese flying, trees blooming profusely I thank God I’m a California boy.

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Our 2011 Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas from

Marcus and Jan Bigelow

Oh how a year changes things.  We are filled with thanksgiving for all of you, our friends and family.  

This year began with the discovery of a place in the country that allows four generations of our family to live together.  It hadn’t been lived in for over a year, but it had enough room for Jan’s folks, Fred and Carol, Jan and Marc, and Nathan, Amy, Zach, Luke and Josh Cherry to thrive.

So, on Feb 28, we moved to Penryn, CA (Our new address is 1490 Sisley Rd., Penryn, CA 95663.  Our new phone is 916-663-9141).  It’s only about 10 miles from our former residence, but it’s a world away.  

We now live on a “farm-ette” complete with snakes, deer, owls, Canada geese and ducks on our own pond on 2.5 acres.  You can see our place at http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Amy and Jan have become quite self-sufficient, making their own laundry soap, yogurt, English muffins and growing many of our vegetables.  The boys are in paradise with great places to roam. They have built a tree fort with their Dad--all in all a great place to live. 

In July, I left Stadia after 15 years to begin a ministry to Christian leaders in ministry and in business doing LifePlans (what does God want to do with my life) and Strategic Planning.  It’s still in the startup stages and we are learning to walk by faith—again.

In October, Jan’s folks finally moved in after we finished the renovations needed on their apartment.  Our girls and their families are all doing well.

Cara and Patrick and 3 of our grandchildren still live in Lincoln and we get to see them often. Evan, their oldest, entered high school this year. Samantha is in 6^th grade and Andy in 3^rd grade.  They attend a local charter school.

Zachary and Luke started school at Penryn School this year and are really enjoying 4^th grade and Kindergarten.  Penryn school is a K-8 and we really enjoy the small town atmosphere. Josh (3 in February) is still home and keeps us in stitches with his funny sayings. (Check out Jan and Amy’s Facebook pages for regular laughter.)

Anna and Jonathan are doing well in Chile and we are eagerly anticipating a winter visit with us in a few weeks.

We are thankful for God’s presence in our lives as never before.  We pray this year will bring you the joy and peace that only Christ can bring.

Marc and Jan Bigelow

Check out Michael Hyatt's blog on why you need to have a life plan and how to live your dream instead of someone elses.

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=e1e945e48e&e=b5fc4a0be3

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The Most Important Person to Lead is Yourself

Having been in church planting for 28 years I have not only shot myself in the foot numerous times, but also watched other perfectly competent leaders do the same. While I don’t know who came up with the title for today’s blog, I do know that it is true.

Here are four ways we can lead ourselves.

· Lead yourself in the ways of God. As one recent church planting leader said, “If I don’t have my relationship with God right, nothing else will be right.” You would think that we would learn this lesson early on, but the number of 50 year old pastors who are still struggling with this leads me to conclude that it is a lifelong battle to be fought.

o Make a leadership choice to connect more fully to Jesus today.

· Lead yourself in overcoming fears. When we get scared we have three typical responses—Fight, flight or freeze. It takes careful leadership to have a thoughtful, prayerful response to a frightening set of circumstances. Saying, “I will walk by faith in my God in this instance” requires a leadership choice.

o Make a leadership choice to confront that situation that is causing your fear this week.

· Lead yourself in breaking new ground. The default mode of human nature is to walk by sight- to return to the safe place. But just like the church that says, “We’ve never done it that way before” so a leader who always returns to what has worked in the past without considering the future has limited the reach of his leadership.

o Make a leadership choice to try one new thing in the next thirty days.

· Lead yourself into replenishment. Often as leaders we think that green pastures and still waters are for those we preach to, but they will never make it there if we don’t model what that looks like. If the leader sets the standard of workaholism—read skips her day off, the all who follow or report to that leader will do the same. Taking a Sabbath day, affirms our belief that God is in control of our church plant and that He is Lord.

o Make a leadership choice to take care of yourself better (rest, exercise, or vacation) this year.

Your spiritual, mental and physical health as a leader will determine your effectiveness. The better you lead yourself the more effective you will be in leading others God has placed in your sphere of influence. Go ahead, lead! Lead yourself, lead your family, lead your church plant. Lead, because God cares what you do.

Prawlking

Having renewed my life plan, I have committed myself to exercising and praying more. This morning I was able to prawlk (prayer walk) 2.7 miles. At first I could only walk and my only prayer was, Lord, help me get home. Now I am finding that I can seek God's face and favor while walking.

I'm finding that Paul Cardall on Pandora radio is really conducive to distraction free meditation. And being ADD ("Dear Lord, oh there goes a bird, hmm look at that flower, wonder what the 49ers are going to do") I need all the help I can get.

This morning I was actually able to jog about 1/3 of the way. Prayer during that time reduced to "Lord help me not to die here", but am looking forward to "Progging" (prayer/jogging) with more than a survival prayer.

I believe that exercise is part of God's plan for my life. It may not be the thing I look forward to the most, but I long to grasp His highest purpose for my life and I know I cannot do that without exercise. So, I obey trusting that God is doing His good work in my life.

United airlines ugh

Landed early couldn't get a gate.sprinted through lax to be treated rudely by gate agents.  No wonder SouthWest cleans up.

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Early in the Morning I will praise Him

Ps 28:7

The Lord strengthens and protects me;

I trust in him with all my heart.

I am rescued and my heart is full of joy;

I will sing to him in gratitude.

Finding Clarity and Direction,

Marcus Bigelow

www.marcusbigelow.com/lifeplanning

Cell:  707-718-3730

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Untitled

Just listened to an incredible TED presentation of a 2000 voice virtual choir.  http://www.ted.com/talks/eric_whitacre_a_virtual_choir_2_000_voices_strong.html  The need for community is strong.

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I won something. That never happens.

I am so excited! I just found out that I won a free copy of @MWBuckingham’s new book, StandOut: http://mhyatt.us/pBBTIK

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StandOut

Just read review of StandOut by "Strengths-Finder" Marcus Buckingham.  Looks like a good read. http://michaelhyatt.com/a-review-of-standout-by-marcus-buckingham.html#respond

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