The Story God is Telling

     A few weeks back, I woke up at 4 am and felt prompted in my spirit to read Psalm 78. Its a rather long Psalm that retells the story of the children of Israel in the Old Testament. It talks about how God delivered them from the hand of the Egyptians, how they rebelled and whined and complained and how God was patient and compassionate with them. Its an amazing story, but certainly one I've heard a thousand times in my life.

 

     Honestly, while I was reading the story again, I kept thinking in the back of my mind, 

"God, I've heard all this before.

What's the point?" 

     And it wasn't until I got all the way finished with the chapter that I looked back at the few verses I had underlined and heard the small whisper of God in my heart say, "That was their story and it was right for them to keep telling it over and over again... Just like you do."

Here's how I wrote it in my journal...

     "I love that this is the story of God for the people of God. That's what Psalm 78 is. It is them telling their story over and over again. It reminds me of our Coffee Shop and Movie Theater stories. It's the same thing.

     Like, I read this and I go, 'Yeah, right, its the same story, over and over again.' because it is. This is the story of their life and how God intervened and forgave and was merciful, and saved them from their enemies!

     They forever told the same story over and over because it was their story and it was right. And we must do the same!

     It is right for us to tell and retell the same stories of God's faithfulness through the years! 

     It is right for the next generation to hear them and learn them and tell them to their children too. 

     Each generation that comes through Next Level Church must have and tell their story! They must add their story to ours."

     

     In the same way, every life has a story! A story that must be told, over and over again. Every single one of us have a story of what God has done in us and through us that is the defining story of our life. In some ways we don't choose it and in some ways we do. We chose to move to Florida, but God chose to call us there. We chose to obey. He chose to open the doors He opened, we chose to walk through them and endure the pain.

      God chose for us to experience all we did in Indiana, we chose to not get bitter and give up. Parents of children with cancer don't choose for their child to get sick, all they can do is choose to not get bitter toward God, but instead let it be the defining story of their life. And they must choose to tell it.

     Telling our story is always a choice. The same choice Israel had to make with their story, and the same choice we had to make with our story. Each one of us must make the choice with the story God has allowed us to live.

•      Will we embrace our story? 

•      Or will we curse it? 

•      Will we choose to acknowledge that our story is not like anyone else's? 

•      How long will we keep running from the reality of our story?

     God will wait. Oh, how He will wait for us to come back to our story. He's not in any hurry. In fact, He's actually just writing more of our story.

? What about us? How well are you doing at embracing your story? How faithful are you being at telling it? 

After all, someone needs to hear it.

#AddingValue

@MatthewKeller

5 Things I learned from my Nephew, Joey Keller (2003-2012)

          On Sunday, November 18th, 2012, my nephew Joey Keller lost his fight with the cancer he had battled for 2 years. Even though he only lived 9 short years, Joey's life impacted tens of thousands of people and will continue to do so for a long, long time. I'm proud of my nephew. In fact, in the last few weeks I've been able to reflect on what he taught me.

These are the lessons I learned from...

Joseph Nickolas Keller

(2003-2012)

1. Joey taught me what it means to be a Fighter.
           Over the last 2 years, we all watched Joey fight the fight of ten lifetimes. No child should have to go through what Joey went through, but he fought hard and with focus. He never gave up and he made his parents proud! Real proud.

          The last time I got to see Joey in person was in late-August at his home outside of Indianapolis. Sarah and I were able to spend 2 hours with him laughing, playing legos and telling stories about his dad and my childhood.

       As I was leaving, I asked Joey if I could have one of his thousands of Lego Star Wars figurines. Before he committed he asked, "Which one?" To which I replied, "The one that most resembles you."
          At that moment, after having not left his chair for 2 hours, he stood up, got his walker and walked boldly across the room to a stack of lego cases. Without hesitation, he pulled off the top 3 cases and opened the 4th one. He reached in, took out the Luke Skywalker figurine dressed in his flight suit and helmet and put a spear in his hand.

          Walking back across the room, he handed it to me definitively and said, "Here. This is me."

          Yep. That was Joey. Joey, the Fighter. The fighter with a spear in his hand. Joey's life taught me to fight. To never give up. To always stay focused on the job at hand and on what's at stake. Joey was a fighter.

2. Joey taught me what it means to have Faith… Real Faith.
          Anyone who spent any time with Joey knows he lived a faith like I've never seen in another child. Joey believed the Word of God. He believed in Jesus. In the face of daunting odds, Joey never wavered in his belief that God loved him and had a good plan for him. Joey trusted God at his word, even when what he saw in the natural didn't look positive.

          Joey's faith inspires me to live a more faith-filled life. I'm often prone to let my circumstances effect my faith, but because of the faith Joey had, I will always be reminded to trust God at His Word, even when my circumstances scream something different.

3. Joey's life taught me that Miracles are Real.
          Thousands of people know the final story of Joey's life, but very few probably know the story of how his life began. From the beginning, Joey was a miracle. I watched my brother and Elizabeth struggle to get pregnant for 7 years. After trying all sorts of things and begging God for a child, they finally resolved that it wasn't meant to be.

          And then it was. And his name was Joey.

         When Joey was still a toddler, he was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy that made many "normal" childhood activities much more dangerous to his health. Under the careful watch of Nick and Elizabeth, Joey lived everyday as a miracle.

          And of course, over the last 2 years to watch his life inspire tens of thousands of people across the world has been nothing short of miraculous. Though Joey Keller's years on this earth were small, there is nothing small about the impact his life has made.

4. Joey taught me what it means to live in the Now!

          Joey knew how to be fully present in any given moment. From playing Wii with a friend or with his cousins, to being quick witted with a sarcastic comeback to his dad, Joey knew how to live fully present in every moment. Wherever he was, he was always, all there.

           So often the hurry and worry of life can keep me from being fully present in the moments that make up my life. 

          Joey taught me this lesson well, and my wife, my kids, and my work will forever be better for it.

5. Joey taught me that Eternity is Forever and this is just the Beginning.
          Joey's life is a testament to the fact that life is short, and eternity is long. Though it seems hard to grasp right now, this life is but a vapor the Bible says. Joey lived a short, but powerful life. Joey's impact on so many will be the legacy that any father, or uncle, would be proud of. Joey makes me happy that this life is not all there is. I can't wait to see him again one day.

          "Thank you Joey for the life you lived, the fight you fought, the impact you made and the lessons you taught me. I will live my life different now because of you. You were a great nephew. I will miss your cute voice, your dry, sarcastic sense of humor and your incredible knack for building legos. You lived your journey well… and you honored our Keller name. May I live my journey in such a way as to honor your name as well."

I love you, Joey Keller,

May the force be with you,

Uncle Matt

What I'm Doing to Get In Shape - A Personal Update

    While I was writing my Manuscript for "The God of the Underdogs" it was really hard to exercise and workout. I hated it, but there just flat out wasn't enough time to run our church, lead, travel, speak multiple times each week, be dad, sleep & write a Best-Seller! (Hahaha)


     So when I turned in the manuscript on September 15th, I knew I wanted to reengage my health in a big way. I was as heavy as I had been since 2002 when we moved to Florida to start Next Level Church.

Let me throw out a couple of disclaimers:

•      First, I'm no physical fitness expert. Just a guy who speaks 250-300 times a year and needs to be in pretty good shape to sustain that.
•      Second, if you are a physical fitness guru, I'd appreciate it if you'd not make a TON of comments trying to advise me better or whatever. It's not that I'm not open to all that, but advise from everywhere can get a little overwhelming. I've got a couple of trusted "experts" who are monitoring me and coaching me so I'm deferring to them right now.
•      Third, I know there are a million and one ways to lose weight and get in shape. 
•      Finally, you should consult a physician before starting any fitness regimen. (Did I say that right, Mr. attorney? )

So on October 1st I began... And am still going. Here's what I'm doing. I hope it helps and inspires you.

1. I am exercising in our Clubhouse Fitness Room.

     It's not attractive, I can't see outside and I am utterly uninspired in there. But guess what: At the end of the day, none of that matters! "Shut up with the excuses Keller and just get in there! If you want pretty and inspiring look at a photo album. If you want to lose weight, get in there."

2. I am walking an hour / day.

     The treadmill has a 1 hour setting so I'm doing that. I'm also doing a bit of ab work and occasional arms stuff cause I'm tired of having skinny, pretzel stick arms.

3. I set a goal to work out 20 times in the Month of October.
     And I did it. 21 to be exact. And I set the same goal for November. That goal is based on my travel schedule, reality and family & time constraint realities. Better to be realistic than to set a goal that leaves me feeling like a failure.

4. I keep my Heart Rate between 65-75% of my maximum. 

     Which for me is not sweating hardly at all. I've learned this is the maximum fat burning zone. So for me a 37 year old male, that's between 110-128 bpm. I've also noticed that I don't feel nearly as drained throughout the day like I used to when I'd kill myself at the gym.

5. I try to do Abs & Arms 3 times a week. 

     See #2 above. 

6. I cut all extraneous sugar - Skittles, etc.
     Which if you know me is a big deal. I love sugar like its a third son, but honestly once I got over the hump, it's not been horrible. The harder reality has been not "snacking" at night on the couch.

7. I have been Extra-Conscious about what I'm eating.

     I cut a lot of the greasy stuff, fatty stuff etc. It certainly hasn't been a perfect thing, but WAY better than the previous few months.

The Result:
     I lost 7 lbs. in 31 days in October and as of this writing, November 13th, I've lost 8 pounds. I feel great. Shirts that were too tight to wear (at least in public) fit again. I have more energy and I've figured out how to write and Multi-task on the treadmill. (I actually wrote this whole article on my iPhone while working out.)

     So that's my journey, so far, of getting back into shape. I know that the next season I am heading into is going to require me to be in the best physical shape of my life. So I consider this to be as important as anything else I'm doing right now.

#AddingValue

@MatthewKeller

Southwest Airlines delivers more than just Air Travel, they deliver happiness... What we can all learn

Southwest Airlines delivers more than just Air Travel, they deliver happiness.

     Sitting in Row 16 on an evening flight from Baltimore back to my home in Ft. Myers, FL, I had the pleasure of flying on Southwest. Now, I must admit, I have been a big fan of Southwest's business model for a long time. But on this night I got to witness what not only makes them one of the most profitable airlines in an industry of historically unprofitable companies, but what sets them apart entirely.

     Between the time the flight attendant (Mandy) took our order for our drinks (no annoying drink carts in the aisles) and the time she brought us our Diet Dr. Pepper and Ginger Ale, I jotted down 5 Reasons why Southwest is providing service superior to anyone else in the industry. (And having just flown on what my assistant calls "Cheap-o-air" 2 days earlier) I was more than a little aware of the differences. Let's just say, they were glaring.

     If you're a leader or business owner of any kind, there is much we can learn from Southwest.

     First, they focus on Employee Engagement, Happiness and Fulfillment and it trickles down to the customer. 

     It has long been said in business that "Happy employees make happy customers." Southwest gets this big time! From the whimsical and at times, a bit cheesy, humor interjected into the "Public Safety Announcement" to the ear to ear smile on the face of our flight attendant when she took our drink order, Southwest knows how to set the customer at ease. 

     When she asked how we were doing, and I commented that I love this airline, she blurted back, "I do to! And tomorrow is my 1 year anniversary with this company! I am so excited!" Yeah, let's just say that "Cheap-o-air" ain't smiling or bragging about that. 

     Take care of your employees and they will take care of your customers. And it's not just in the big things, though those certainly have their place. It's the little things, done consistently over an extended period of time that creates a happier work environment.

     Second, they focus on the Right Things instead of Wrong, Superfluous Things. 

     So many airlines spend way too much time "policing" customers, instead of empowering them. Let's be honest, nobody wants to be unnecessarily policed. We know air travel is an enormous responsibility but it doesn't have to be stuffy or rude. Southwest's focus is on anything that helps the customer have a smoother experience and process. Don't assign me a seat, I'm a college educated, successful American adult. I betcha I can figure it out. Don't charge me for a bag, or nickel and dime me to change flights. Don't make me find the best deal on some randomocity.whatever site, just tell me where to go, make the procedure easy and let me do my thing.

     Where in your business have you made it "harder than it needs to be" for the customer?

     Third, they empower customers! (and who doesn't love Power of Choice.)

     We are living in the age of choice. The young generation today lives by the mantra, "Empower us or we will choose someone else who will." We will only tolerate 'no options' until we are given an option and then we will take the better option, and here's the kicker, business leaders, EVEN IF IT COSTS US MORE MONEY. 

     Southwest gets away with higher fares at times, because they empower you and people love choice. Seth Godin defines "Being rich" as "having the power to choose." Southwest airlines gets that. 

     Fourth, they understand flying and air travel is a stressful sport and they seek to ease that pain just a little bit. 

     When a company understands a real "pain" or "stressor" in their customer's life, and can alleviate it, they become immensely valuable to them. Southwest does that. Business leader, what "pain" or "stressor" is your customer experiencing that you could alleviate? And don't over think it. 

     Southwest pays for softer, comfier chairs in the waiting area. They pay for extra power outlets nearby, why? Because they know the pains of traveling and they want to alleviate them as much as they can. It's a little bit of extra effort and expense that pays BIG Dividends in customer loyalty.

     Finally, they systematize as much as possible to de-complexify (did I just make up a word?) as much as they can.

     Thus maximizing profit and minimizing waste. (Which is in abundance in the airline industry) 

     Build systems, empower people, trust the customer to know what's best for them, make it as easy as possible, then watch profits increase. Regardless of the industry you find yourself in, I'm willing to bet there's a way to systematize to decomplexify and make your customer's experience better. Southwest does this better than anyone else in the industry and their bottom line shows it.

     So, as the lights of the coastline of Ft. Myers come into view out the cabin window to my left, I can't help but compare my experience on "Cheap-o-air" to this one, and tonight I'm thankful for how Southwest airlines is getting it right. It's the little things that make all the difference. Thanks for the Cheese Nips, Peanuts and Diet Dr. Pepper. And thanks for getting us in safely and a few minutes early as well. Happy 1 Year Anniversary, Mandy, you work for a great company.

Respectfully,

@MatthewKeller

Seat 16C

Health Matters :: More than Leaders may Think

          After nearly 11 years of leading Next Level Church, I have become convinced of something.


                                         Health Matters.

          In fact, one of key leadership axioms we say often is: "We are never going to prioritize Growth over Health." Because we know that Healthy things grow. Health sustains growth. Without Health, our teams and our organizations break down.

          I am privileged to be speaking once again this year at the Velocity Conference in Atlanta, GA presented by Church Planters.com on February 18-19, 2013. The subject I'll be talking about will be centered around How to Spot Unhealth on our Teams and in our Organizations. Whether we lead a church, church plant, start up or established business, health Matters.


Here's why Health Matters:


1. Health is Attractive whether we Realize it or not.
          People are attracted to healthy things, whether they realize it or not. And the opposite is also true. When there is unhealth on our teams, it will push out the best leaders, volunteers and givers. That's why its paramount we leaders have a mechanism to spot unhealth.

          Week in and week out, people approach us and say things like, "I don't know what it is about this place and about your team, but it just feels different than anything I've ever felt before." Of course, we know that's the presence of the Lord, but it's also the presence of Health in the organization as well. We work hard to create an environment of health on all the teams across our church.


2. Unhealth on our Teams has the Ability to Paralyze the Move of God in our Church.
          The only way for our churches (and businesses) to live out their full redemptive potential is when they are healthy. In our coaching of other churches, non-profits and businesses we regularly come in contact with organizations with Huge Upside Potential, but because of the presence of unhealth among their teams can't seem to breakthrough to the next level. Our organizations will only grow as tall as the foundation of health they are built upon.

3. The Healthier our Teams Become, the More Capacity our Teams have.
          Health is like the base of a skyscraper. The wider and deeper the base, the taller the building above. When we know the right questions to ask and the right ways to develop health among our teams, we effectively broaden the base and create the platform for our organizations to sore. Pursuing health in our organizations isn't sexy or glamorous, but the long-lasting results are well worth the effort.


4. Being able to spot Unhealth is the Make or Break for the long term Success of our Organization.
         We can never get where we want to go, if we don't first, know where we are. Having the simple tools to identify unhealth on our teams is priority #1 to taking them to the next level. I'm so excited to be able to share these 9 principles or tools in just a few months at Velocity 2013.
          If you're unable to attend, but are interested in learning more about the tools of spotting Unhealth in your business or organization, feel free to contact us at:


chelsie@mynextlevel.me

For more information on the conference go to:

http://www.churchplanters.com


May the Organizations we lead continue to pursue health in the future,


#AddingValue

@MatthewKeller

Don't Mistake "Big Personality" for Good Leadership

As the 2012 Major League Baseball season comes to a close, the usual letting go of some players and managers is taking place. Most noticeable to me is the firing of Boston Red Sox manager, Bobby Valentine and the firing of Ozzie Guillen, the manager of the Miami Marlins.

Both men are in their first year as managers for their respective clubs however, both men have served as managers for other teams in the past. What I find interesting is how both men have the reputation of being "Big Personalities" in the baseball world. In fact, I would go so far as to say that both men were hired as much for their big personality as for their ability to lead a major league ball club effectively.

Unfortunately for both men, their teams under-performed in a big way this year disappointing fans, team members and the front office. It has cost both of them their job and the city of Miami the hope of building momentum for their newly renamed and rebranded ball club. 

Which brings me to my Main Observation:

There is a big difference between a "Big Personality"
and good leadership. 

The baseball world is a microcosm of how the world of leadership has changed in the last decade. No longer can a "Big Personality" compensate for poor leadership, especially when you're called upon to lead the young generation. Every 30 and under high capacity leader I know has a radar for authenticity, vulnerability and approachability. No longer can poor leadership hide behind "Big Personality." The proof shows up in the results every time.

The challenging takeaway for us as leaders is to examine ourselves.

• Where are we prone to leverage our "Big Personality" instead of doing the hard work of leading well? 
• Where are we using our personality instead of facing ourselves and becoming a better leader? 
• Where are we hoping our "Big Personality" will cover up poor performance on our part?

The world of leadership is changing both inside and outside the baseball landscape. Wise is the organization and the leader who takes note and acts accordingly.

#AddingValue

@MatthewKeller

"Because you say so..."

In Luke 5, Jesus climbs into Simon Peter's boat and challenges Peter's entire thinking on what he thought he knew. Peter, after all, was a professional fisherman. If anyone ought to know when, how and where to fish, it was him.

However, after hearing Jesus teach a seashore crowded with people, from the bow of his boat, he was willing to reconsider.

In verse 5, Peter makes a statement that changed the trajectory of his entire life from that day on.

"Because you say so..." (Luke 5:5)  

Peter was willing to obey Jesus, not because he understood all his theology. Not because he knew how the journey would end. Not because he had reasoned it all out in his mind.

Peter obeyed Jesus because it was His word.

Peter trusted Jesus at His word.

? Do we?

Who knows, it just might change the trajectory of your life.

Don't you owe it to yourself to obey him and see what happens...

(To hear how the story ends, watch here...)

Rush - Part 1

Why We Use Video Teaching at Next Level Church

          At Next Level Church, we are passionate about using whatever means necessary to reach as many people as we possibly can with the message of Life-Change found in Jesus Christ. A little less than a year ago, we began using video teaching in some of our weekend services each week at Next Level Church. And the response has been incredible! We hear reports every week who "love it" "think its cool," and "forgot they were watching a video at all."  It truly has been an incredible season at NLC and Video Teaching is a big part of that.

Why Behind the What on Video Messages from Next Level Church on Vimeo.

            Here are the reasons behind why we use video teaching at Next Level Church...

1. Sustainability of the Speaking Pastors.
 

          At Next Level Church, we value Health over Growth in every way, including and especially with our staff and pastors. We place a high priority on "Taking a Day Off" and "Taking Care of your Health and Family" for all of our team and leaders. That being the case, we knew that once our church added a 4th weekend service last year, and now, this fall, having added a 5th service to our weekend schedule, it was paramount to the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of myself and our speaking pastors that we not speak "in-person" in all of those services.

          Additionally, our weekend services are not all our pastors do. During a typical week, our pastors are teaching, leading meetings, coaching other pastors, having conversations, etc. It takes energy to lead and motivate the hundreds of volunteers that make NLC the place we know and love, keep a few dozen staff inspired and trained and influence other pastors and leaders across the country. Our leaders work hard not just on Saturdays and Sundays, but throughout the week as well.

        I have heard it said that preaching a 40 minute message exudes the same amount of energy as a working an 8 hour day. Speaking personally, preaching on the weekend is the physical equivalent of running hard on a treadmill for 40 straight minutes, taking a 30 minute break and then getting back on again for another 40 minutes of hard running. Having to do that 4 or 5 times in a 20 hour period of time over a weekend exacts a physical and emotional toll that takes more than just Sunday evening to recover from.

          We believe there is a better way to communicate messages at Next Level Church without our pastors paying such a high price. And we do that by leveraging technology and video teaching. By utilizing our 21' HD Screen in 1 or 2 of our weekend services, we are creating a near identical NLC Experience for attenders while honoring our value of health for our pastors.

 
2. Video is a Tool God has given to us to use for Him.

          We believe video teaching is a tool that can expand what we are capable of. In the last 50 years, video has changed the way Americans and the world receive information. With the invention of the television, people suddenly began receiving the majority of their information through a "virtual" person in their living room. I grew up watching my parents and grandparents huddle around the TV to watch a news anchor bring us the day's stories on the Evening News.

          Today, with the advent of the Internet, computers and smart phones, receiving information and content through video is an expected norm. In fact, we prefer it. Video gives us the ability to see angles on things we otherwise couldn't see (think watching a football game from the stands or from your couch...) and be closer to communicators then we otherwise could be. 

          I am always amazed when I'm speaking, at how many people watch the screens, even though I'm standing on the stage in front of them! (Including my wife, by the way!!! She says I'm clearer and she can see me better when she looks at the screen! She says I'm more handsome too?!?)

         Of course the logic makes sense as it relates to our TV's or Videos on our computers, but what about "God's Spirit?" "Can God work through a video in the same way He does when the speaker up front is in-person?" A great question, and for the answer let me say this: Last week in both of our "Video Message" services on Sunday, we had over 30 people raise their hands to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior at the end of the message!

          Thankfully, because our world is so video savvy, our minds have become accustomed to receiving from someone on a video screen. And to our spirit, there is no difference. Video is simply a medium of communication, just like paper and ink are, or an audio CD is. It's merely a platform for communication, and therefore a non-factor for the Spirit of God to flow through. God's Spirit is at work regardless of the medium, be it written, spoken, in-person, or by video. The Word of God is faithful, regardless of the medium!

3. Prepares us for the future

          A third reason we are using video teaching more and more at Next Level Church is because it positions us for the future. The vision of Next Level Church has always been to be 1 Church in multiple locations. We believe the most effective way to reach people in a community is by having an expression of God's Church in that community. Said another way, we believe the best way for people to be apart of the Life-Flow of a Church is not for them to have to drive 30 minutes or more to attend a program or service, but rather for the church to have a "campus" in their city or community.

          Video teaching gives us the ability to do that. We truly can be 1 Church in Multiple Locations. Technology gives us the ability to be growing as a church family together, even though we may be living in different cities or communities across southwest Florida.

          Here are 4 examples of churches who use Video Teaching every week in multiple locations in other parts of the US.

http://churchofthehighlands.com/campuses
 

http://www.lifechurch.tv/locations

http://www.gatewaypeople.com

http://www.newlifechurch.tv

4. We had a choice to make.

          The final reason we use Video Teaching at Next Level Church is because we came to a crossroads about a year ago. When our church began to explode and close to 2,000 people began to attend each weekend, we were running out of space. In that moment, we knew, as a leadership team, we had 2 choices:
 

• First, stop adding services and creating more seats for people to attend. or

• Second, continue to add more services, create more space, and leverage video teaching to make it sustainable and scalable.

          As we pondered that decision, we began to think about so many of the stories we were hearing of friends, family members, co-workers and classmates whose lives were being changed through NLC. The thought of not being able to create space for someone else's friend, or loved one to come and experience Jesus like that was not an option for us. We couldn't stand the thought of turning someone away, or worse yet, seeing a car pull on the parking lot and then drive off again, because they couldn't find a spot in our most popular service times (it happens just about every week).

          If using Video Teaching is a method God has given us to continue to create more Next Level Church environments where people's lives can be transformed then we will do it! People are worth it! Lost people are worth it! We didn't start Next Level Church so we could turn people away, we started it so we could invite them in… into a relationship with Jesus Christ! And praise God, video teaching gives us the ability to do that.

          Let me say thank you to so many of you who get this vision. So many of you who give up your seat at the "most popular times" and serve. So many of you who sacrifice and give and leverage your talents, gifting and abilities to make a difference in someone else's life.
 

         It's working, Next Level Church, let's keep doing everything we can to reach more people for Jesus Christ!

I love being your pastor,

Pastor Matt Keller
@MatthewKeller

Teachability at a Large Level

When leaders get better, everybody wins..

     I believe this with all my heart. If we can keep the leader growing, the organization they lead wins, other leaders around them win and the people they serve, win. And the key to a leader getting better is found in the presence of teachability in their life.

Teachability is the Key to Everything!

     However, here's the secret of teachability in a leadership context…

The most valuable people to help you grow are those who work with you everyday.

     This means our team. They are the ones who know us best and can see our quirks and blind spots in the leadership context. However, the larger an organization grows, the more difficult it is for the leader at the top to remain teachable. Not because of a lack of desire, in most cases, but because the world has changed.

There is an invisible magic line in organizational life where a leader goes from being a "Normal Leader" at the table to being a "Large Leader." "Large Leaders" are perceived differently by their team around them. Its just an organizational fact of life.

     Suddenly, what used to be easy, effortless conversations about a leader's blind spots become infinitely more difficult to have with a "Large Leader." Why does that happen? And what can a "Large Leader" do about it?

3 Reasons Why:

1. "Large Leaders" are perceived to be a little bit "Larger than Life."

     When an organization grows and reaches a certain size, the leader of that organization takes on a bit of a "Rock Star" status in the eyes of people and team members. It's just an inevitability. It's not bad, it's just reality. And in most cases its not something a "Large Leader" desires or wants to happen, it just does. But this presents a difficult reality for maintaining teachability for a "Large Leader." Teammates who at one time could walk in and say things that helped keep the leader accurately grounded, feel like they have to be a bit more guarded in their words or protective. 

2. People want to "Please you."

     At the end of the day, the majority of people who serve in your organization want to "please you." Said another way, they want to know the vision, run the plays and paint the picture you see in your mind's eye for your organization. However, when it comes to the teachability of a "Large Leader," hearing honest feedback becomes more difficult the bigger an organization gets.
     Wise team members understand the pressures on their leader at this level. The see the stress in their eyes. They know how busy they are. So the last thing they want to be is the "nagging" or "nitpicking" voice pointing out an area in a leader's life or leadership that could use some attention.


3. Your Voice is Amplified.

     A wise friend and mentor told me several years ago, "When your organization gets big, you have to understand that your whispers are heard as shouts," to the people you lead. I can't even begin to tell you how true this is! I have learned this the hard way over the last couple of years. As a "Large Leader" if I walk into a room and ask a simple question about the light fixtures, by next week people will be ripping them out and replacing them, if I'm not careful.
     The bigger your organization grows, the more amplified a "Large Leader's" words become. This means there will be times where you think you're just having open dialogue, but in your team's mind, they are hearing something completely different and much louder.

     So what do we do?

How can a "Large Leader" position themselves to get feedback from those who are closest to them?

4 Ideas on how a "Large Leader" can Remain Teachable:

1. Invite It.

     Unless we invite feedback, it will not happen. Our teams are not going to go out of their way to tell us what they see in our blind spots unless we proactively ask. My recommendation is to build a culture where feedback is expected, sought out and highly valued. And as the leader at the top, you must model that for your team. Our teams will be as teachable as we are. This means, leaders, we must go over and above to keep inviting feedback from those around us. Even when we don't think we need it. And especially when we don't think we want it.
     Get in the habit of inviting feedback in the big and the small. When it becomes a habit, it will become part of the leadership culture of your organization.

2. Listen Intuitively.

     I would be willing to bet that feedback concerning our blind spots exists in the meetings we are in, throughout the week. However, the majority of the time, we miss it. Leaders, this is where we need to keep our intuitive ears up and open to see and hear what is being insinuated and what isn't being said because we're in the room. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, there are things my team doesn't say because I'm in the room during certain meetings.
     Don't we owe it to ourselves to know what it is and why our team feels its best to not mention it? And let me say, I'm not talking about destructive or divisive things, not at all. There are certain details we don't need to know about because it will cause us to spend emotional energy our team knows we need to be spending on higher level things.
     However, I would be willing to bet there are a few areas your team guards from the conversation because they are particular hot buttons for us or are areas in our blind spot. Come on leaders, we've got to humble ourselves, listen and intuit what those areas are and attempt to grow there.

3. Shun Selective Teachability.

     If you ever find yourself thinking or saying, "That's just the way it is. That's what I believe. That's a fact. And its not open for discussion." Then that's probably an area you have selectively declared, "Off-Limits."
     And we are the biggest fool in the room, if we think our team doesn't know exactly what those areas are. Where are you particularly dogmatic about something? Is it doctrine for you, or dogma? As "Large Leaders" we must be careful not to make doctrines out of dogmas. A doctrine is a biblical imperative. A dogma is a personal preference. "Large Leaders" are capable of making dogmas into doctrines that will keep our teams from being able to speak perspective into our blind spots.
     We must fight against that with everything within us. Come on leaders, there's too much at stake for us to allow our dogmas to get in the way of the mission of the organization we lead.

4. Refuse to "Get Loud" to win.

     As "Large Leaders" we have an extra card in our hand in most meetings. Unfortunately, we leaders think its a trump card, when in reality its a Joker card that will erode our credibility long term. That card is the "Get Loud" or "Get Big" card. When something is being said we don't agree with or want to talk about, a "Large Leader" can feel the temptation to simply leverage their "Largeness" and shut the whole thing down. We do this when we raise our voice, sharpen our tone or "get big" at the table.

When we do this, we may win the battle, but we will ultimately lose the war. 

     In spiritual circles we are tempted to take it one level further with the, "God Card." Spiritual leaders, when we play the "God Card" we undermine our team's voice in a huge way. After all, why should they think creatively, push hard, enter the discussion and participate when at any moment, we're just going to throw down the "God Card" and trump all their ideas and do what we want anyway?
     Many great organizations have had their potential sabotaged because of a leader who "Got Big," got their way and then led the organization only as far as his insecurity and lack of teachability would take it.

     If you are a "Large Leader" congratulations, you've reached a place many others aspire to be. However, you're going to have to work 3 times as hard to be teachable at this level. Remember, your team loves you and wants you to become the best possible leader you can be for everyone's sake. Open yourself up to them, invite them in, and watch what happens.

Challenge:

     Have a conversation with 3 people on your team this week and ask them to give you 3 areas where they think you could do better in your leadership. Don't fight back. Embrace what they tell you. And at the end of it, thank them for their feedback and tell them you want to be the model for teachability in this organization. Then give them a gift card to take their spouse to dinner.

Watch what happens next…

That's the power of teachability. It really is the Key to Everything...

#AddingValue

@MatthewKeller

Developing the Art of Asking Great Questions

One of the most powerful concepts I learned along time ago was the art of asking great questions. What I came to realize is that every person you meet is a deep well, with much to teach us, the crux is finding a way to mine out what's inside of them. 

Proverbs 20:5 says it so well: "The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out." 

The way we draw out the deep waters of those around us is by developing the art of asking great questions. I truly believe that  

He who asks the best questions wins...

(and learns the most!) 

Here's a few ideas on the art of asking great questions.

#1: Be Ready. 

It should go without saying, but it all starts by constantly and strategically doing 2 things:

       * Learning Up. 

We must be ready to take advantage of every opportunity to learn from the leaders that God has placed around us. Those within the organization we find ourselves in are definitely the starting point for each of us. It should go without saying that the people close to you have something to teach you. Don't miss the opportunity to benefit from them.

        * Learning Out. 

We must Systematically keep forcing ourselves to find others whom we can be learning from. Let me strongly encourage you to be reading at least 12 books per year and having at least 12 conversations per year with leaders you admire and can learn from.

#2: Come Ready. 

I know this sounds simplistic, but you wouldn't believe how many times I meet with someone and they have nothing to write with or to write on or to be able to take notes of any kind. When you meet with a leader, come expecting to learn something. Every meeting, no matter how matter of fact, has the power to teach us something. BUT ONLY... if you're ready to capture a nugget when it comes out. Only then will you truly make the most of your time with someone.  

One of the primary ways we learn is through on-the-job interactions on a daily basis. Be ready to capture a nugget of wisdom in the hallway or in the lunch room on a break. It only takes a little bit of intentionality on our part to train ourselves to be looking for them. Trust me, teachable moments are around all the time.

#3:  Be Willing to Relearn that which you think you already know. 

 One of the biggest mistakes we make is to shut down when we hear something that is contrary to what we believe or have always been told. Most people do. But one of the greatest keys to being able to learn is to stay open in the moment, and then filter and sift through what they said later.

Additionally, another tendency people often fall into is to shut off when we hear something that we have already heard before. Again, most people do this. However, repetition is a marvelous teacher. One of the best in fact. The more we hear something, the more we'll see it. I am always amazed at how God seems to arrange learning and situations at the right time in my life to reinforce an idea or principle or concept over and over again. Repetition is a great teacher if we don't turn it off in the name of familarity. 

Remember, there is power in a new wrapper. Different people will package their ideas differently and you'll be amazed at how differently the same concept or principle can sound if we don't just shut them off or tune them out.

 

#4: How to Ask Great Questions:

• Have more questions than you need for a particular meeting or interview. I like to think of questions as camera angles, and certainly when it comes to an instant replay in an NFL game, the more camera angles the referees can have the better off they'll be when the game is on the line and there are several million people needing them to get this right. The same is true for us. The more ways we can see something, the better and more accurate picture we'll have.

• Keep your Opinion to a Minimum. Put simply: If you're talking, then you're not learning. Never forget you're not there to justify yourself in front of them. You're not there to try and prove how smart you are or how much you know, just the opposite, you're there to find out and discover how much they know that you don't know! 

• Frame it Up, then Shut Up! Give enough information to sum up the situation or question, and then be quiet and listen. They only need enough information to be able to put themselves in your shoes and speak from their experience. Don't drag on with information and useless details that will only distract from what you're trying to learn and accomplish with the question in the first place.

• When you get in a flow with a train of thought, keep it going. When the person you are asking questions of begins digging into something meaty or in depth, by all means, don't interrupt their flow of thought. You want to keep them in that vein of thought for as long as you possibly can. That's where the richest stuff lives! This is why its so important to not just have a few questions, but to have way more questions then you need. Because even if you don't have every single question memorized, in the moment, your brain will have the ability to find questions that will help your subject continue in their train of thought. Thus allowing you to mine the deepest parts of their mind on a particular subject or topic. 

• Do your Homework Prior.Several years ago, I was able to arrange a meeting with the mayor of our city. I was so excited and had prepared several dozen questions going in varying directions. However, when I got into the meeting and asked the Mayor about his vision for our city in the coming days. He replied, "Well, being as I've been in office for 9 years and I only have 6 weeks left in my final term, not much." I felt like an idiot. Do your homework.

•  Key in on Their Expertise. Whatever someone's passion is, that's where they'll be most excited to talk. When you feel their pace quicken that's where you’ll get maximum engagement from them. 

• Commit to Becoming a Great Question Asker. Learning the Art of Asking Great Questions is truly an art. It is developed over time. Pay attention to what questions open people up and which ones close people down. Become a student of the great question-askers of our day. Matt Lauer, David Letterman, Brian Wiliams, Ken Coleman, etc. Additionally, do a mental review of the questions you asked and how they worked. 

• Never forget the Greatest Question Ever for Leaders. Several years ago I came across what I consider to be the Greatest Question ever for leaders, here it is.

      “If you were me, what would you do?

The power of this question is that it takes all of the other person's life experience and belief system and instantly transports them into your life context. This is a Can't Fail Question and its one I use all the time.

Proverbs 20:5 “The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.”

? What Questions are your favorite "Go-To's" when wanting to learn from someone else?

I'd love to hear your comments below...

#AddingValue

@MatthewKeller

Adding a Saturday Night Service :: 6 Keys to Adding a Saturday Night Service w/ Success

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article on "Launching 2 Services" in a church. I have been blown away by the overwhelming response from so many of you. Thanks for passing it on / commenting / reading it / and applying it. We love helping churches be more effective.

This week, I want to write a follow up article because many of you have asked about

"Launching a Saturday Night Service." 

At Next Level Church, we do 2 Saturday Night services each week and they are both attended very well and have tremendous momentum. But that didn't happen by accident.

Here are some Thoughts:

1. Seek God Big Time! 

Saturday night services are not easy and, like good marriage vows, "should not be entered into lightly or irreverently..." We did this. Our church was close to 1,000 people in average weekend attendance and 9 years old before we made the jump to Saturday nights. Even though... we had a lot of people asking us for it for several years.

Pastors and Leadership Teams need to be certain God has led them to this. In fact, I have often recommended launching a 3rd Sunday Morning, rather than starting a Saturday night for many churches. Pursue Saturday Nights with Prayerful Caution.

2. You must be ALL IN!

One of THE big things we did right was committed to Saturday Nights 150,000%!!! We knew we needed our entire staff to be ALL IN, if it was ever going to work. I talk to many pastors who can't seem to gain traction on Saturday night and you hear in their voice, "Well, we didn't really know if it would work..." or "You know, my staff isn't really in love with it..."

That will not work! Either you go all in or you will never see the results you're hoping for. This is what you're doing! You are now a multi-day church, which means you work on Saturdays. That means your College Football watching will be inhibited, your family time will have to look different, etc. Everyone has to buy into that.

3. DO NOT: Make it different or boutique-y. 

Your Saturday night service must be an IDENTICAL service of your Sunday morning or people will feel like they're getting a lessor or different "product" and won't commit to it. For us, we knew our Saturday night services could not be, "Practice" or "Warm Up." It had to be full on from day 1 so our people didn't feel slighted and revert back.

4. We launched it around a major cultural shifting time.

I believe we launched our Saturday night services at the right time. We began it the very first week we moved into our new facility and out of the High School we had been in for 5 years. One piece of logic for us was that we were downsizing our seating capacity in the auditorium from 900 seats at the High School to 600 seats in our new facility. So in many ways, it was a necessity.

But it was also a strategic move for us because we knew that in order for our church to serve 2,000 people in our facility we would HAVE to have a Saturday night option.

5. We cast vision to it like crazy in the summer.

Let me talk this one through. We moved in and began a Saturday night service in April 2011. We had about 300 people who settled in at that service. Then Sarah and I took a 40 day Sabbatical through the month of June. When we got back in July, we launched our "Big Summer Series" (which we do every year) we also launched our "Try Saturday Night" campaign internally.

We asked everyone who called Next Level Church their home to "Try Saturday Night" at least one time during the 6 weeks of the summer series. Then halfway through the series, we started saying, "Stay Saturday Night." Now that you're here, we need you to stay. The most missional thing you can do is give up your seat on Sunday mornings for an unchurched person."

Our people got it! During that first summer our Saturday night service grew from 300 to 650. It became the biggest attended service of our entire weekend. Which is what we needed it to be, so we could split it in October and go to 2 services on Saturday night.

SIDENOTE: One difficult thing about only having 1 service on Saturday night is that it messes up the "Attend One, Serve One" Culture you've created with 2 services on Sundays. This was probably the hardest part! Seriously. Our Volunteer teams thanked us when we finally launched our 2nd Saturday night because it took so much pressure off of them.

(By the way, we launched Saturday night at 5:30pm, and then went to a 4:30 & 6:30pm start time when we split in October 2011.)

6. We built a brand around it.

Once we added the 2nd Saturday night,  our attendance settled in at 650-700 until summer 2012. Each service had a good feel and critical mass but they still had plenty of room for growth.

So, during our "Big Summer Series" this year (2012) we created a brand around Saturday Night (We got this idea from Potential Church in Miami, FL. Thanks Troy and Stephanie!!!) called "The Night Shift."

For 6 straight weeks, we built awareness and cast vision around "The Night Shift" and our people again, rose to the occasion. We would do fun things on Saturday nights but nothing expensive or difficult. They were little things that went along with our "Seeing Red" series like give away packs of Big Red gum.

We have never bought into the whole, "Serve pizza or a meal every week," because its not sustainable long term and people don't care that much about food. They care about options and vision. Give them that.

During the 6 week series, our Saturday nights grew by another 400 people. In fact, 2 of the 6 weeks, we actually had more people on Saturday night then we did on Sunday mornings! It was truly amazing!

To this day, our attendance breakdown is very close to 50/50%. Sundays are sometimes bigger, but not by more than 100 people.

Saturday nights can be done effectively, no matter where you live. 

Personal Practicals:

As I mentioned, adding a Saturday night is a Big Deal and will mess with your rhythm personally and the rhythm of your team as well. Here are some Personal Practicals to think through...

•  Think through schedules and rhythms for your team.

I would say this is something we didn't do very well when we first started Saturday nights. The reason why is because our staff was so excited to be apart of something that was growing so fast and had so much momentum that we didn't want to miss it!

We should have forced our team to think through who needs to be there on what days, etc. Some of your team will have to be there all weekend, but others, maybe not. These are conversations that have to be had.

• I had to shift my schedule.

As a communicator, when we added Saturday night, I had to rethink my personal speaking schedule. In addition to teaching on the weekends at NLC, I speak between 250 and 300 times / year at conferences, trainings, coaching, etc. which is physically taxing and vocally taxing as well.

My personal preaching rhythm used to be 1 in 6. In other words, every 6 weeks, I needed 1 weekend off. Once we added Saturday night, that rhythm went down to 1 in 4. Now, the most I will do is 4 weekends in a row. The burden and weight of carrying a weekend's worth of services and ministry to people cannot be underestimated. And for me, by the 4th weekend, I'm out. I can feel my enthusiasm and energy wane. I need to not be up there after 4 weeks in a row.

• Think through your Speaking Team.

As I just mentioned, adding a Saturday night and the pressure of a growing church takes its toll on the lead communicator. You've got to be diligent and proactive on teaching others on your team how you think about what you do on the weekend. I actually wrote a 3-Part Article on this here on my site a while back. You can read it here.

•  Think through your Family Nights and Date Nights.

One of the biggest things that had to shift for our family when we added Saturday night was our family night. Historically, Saturdays had been that. Because I never liked to go out and do something big on Saturdays anyway, it just made sense for those to be our night in with the kids. We'd rent movies, play games, etc.

Once we launched Saturday night services, we had to change that up. We moved our family night to Friday night which then meant Date Night with the wife had to move to Thursday nights. Today, my kids don't think a thing about it. They love it! From the time we pick them up after school on Friday, we party, hang out, and have fun being family together.

• Fight through the Guilt.

There is not a week that goes by when I'm leaving the house on Saturday afternoon at 2:30pm and my kids are upstairs playing that I don't feel guilty. I have to fight through that! God is in this, and we have adjusted our family schedule so my kids are not "losing out on dad." But satan loves to get in my head on this one. Fight that.

• You have to Fight for your Day Off like crazy!!!

 Once we added Saturday nights, I felt the pressure big time and Sarah and I quickly learned that if I didn't have my Friday Day Off, I would feel it through the whole weekend and into the next week as well. Sabbath is not Optional. And if you work on Saturday and Sunday, you HAVE to take time to recharge your battery on another day.

Additionally, I would say that as a family, we have started taking more time off for ourselves to recharge as a family as well. We use all the vacation we get every year and we are very strategic when the kids have breaks from school to be together and recharge together.

I never want my kids to feel like they were slighted by the ministry. I don't think they have to, we just have to work hard to be intentional about it.


In conclusion, Saturday nights are an incredible way to offer more opportunities to serve people. And when done effectively, can catalyze the growth of your church.

? What experience do you have with Saturday night church? I'd love to hear your thoughts...

#AddingValue

@MatthewKeller

“Behind the #9” …the Story

For years, when the “Outreach 100” was released I thumbed through it, circled names and paid close attention to the details.  I was excited to look at the list and say, “Hey, I know him” or “Who is this?” or “How did they do that?”  My wife would look up church websites and sometimes give the church a call to ask how they did certain things. We loved the list, because we love to learn! 

   
When we found out we had made the “Top Ten List” of The Fastest Growing Churches in America this year, we decided to let you in on the story, “Behind the Nine.”  Let’s be honest, sometimes looking at other church’s numbers can be discouraging.  So, my hope is that no matter where you are on your journey, our story will be an encouragement to you! 

    
Although from 2010-2011, our growth was fast…our story of growth is anything but fast.   As a matter of fact, my wife said we should call ourselves one of the “Slowest Fastest Growing Churches in America.”  In the Fall of 2001, we felt God calling us to leave our comfortable ministry position in the Midwest and start a church.  In January 2002, we moved from Indiana to Fort Myers, Florida with our 18 month old son and Mike Ash (who is still on our team).  Beginning with four of us in a coffee shop, clueless and with $9,000 to our name, Next Level Church was birthed out of a heart to reach Southwest Florida and to influence the world around us.  It wasn’t a big vision that I needed, it was the patience to see the vision come to pass.
   

When we arrived in Florida, I began working in a jewelry store in the day and every night we would sit down at the card table in our living room and talk about the future of Next Level Church! In May of 2002, we launched at the “Bell Tower 20” Movie Theater. It was the only movie theater in Fort Myers at the time and God opened the door for us to be right in the center of town.  The rent was $325 a week, so according to the $1,500 we had in our savings, we knew we could have services for four weeks! If people didn’t start attending (& giving) by then, we’d have to go somewhere else.  
   

On launch Sunday, we had 35 people in attendance and by the next week, we had 19.  Standing up to preach to 12 people in that little theater that Sunday, I thought, “Really God?  I use to teach Sunday School classes bigger than this!” I’m telling you, our services were so primitive, we didn’t even have drums for the first year! Those were hard and lonely days, but God brought us the right people at the right time and by the end of that year we had around 80 in attendance.
    

We had services at the Theater for four years (went to 2 services) and grew to about 300 people.  Looking back on the theater years, I can now see how God was setting a foundation in place.  During those years, we learned a lot about systems (having to set up and tear down before the movie started), how to handle conflict & how to create and protect the culture. We had moved to Southwest Florida knowing a lot about what we didn’t want to be, but it took those early years to figure out what we did want to be.
     

After 200 Sundays in the theater, we moved to a High School 2 miles away.  We “re-launched” in this beautiful 900-seat auditorium, sent out a huge mailer and really thought we would double overnight. That didn’t happen! Instead, the 5 Years we spent in the High School were more “Slow and Steady” growth.      
    

When the reality that this move hadn’t caused us to double really sank in, I had a moment where I cried out to God and said, “God, if you never let my church grow beyond this, I will still pour myself into other Pastors, so they can grow faster and bigger than we ever will.” That was the moment that caused me to start giving back to those who were a few steps behind us. I began investing in other Pastors, encouraging and coaching them in their journey.  
     

As a church, we also decided we were not just going to exist for those who were “coming to us.” Instead, we would be a church who reached out to the broken, hurting and forgotten in our community.  Our “Community Outreach” was birthed in us during the years we spent at the High School.
   

We LOVED our portability (I am being serious).  For nine years, we never let the fact that we were “portable” slow us down. Instead, we embraced it and taught many pre-launch churches how to implement systems to keep portability sustainable! However, in late 2009, God began making it clear we were to start looking for a permanent location.  In the fall of 2010, and after much searching, we purchased 10 acres of land and a 14,000 SF Building (an older church).  
   

Southwest Florida was in a financial depression. People were losing their homes, jobs & moving away. It seemed like the worst time to be in a building project...but God had other plans. Originally, we wanted an 850-seat auditorium, but with our community’s financial state, we settled on 600 seats and told God we would be faithful.  We gutted and renovated the 14,000 SF & added another 6,000 of kids space to it. Plus, we renovated a 3,000 SF Trailer… making a total of 23,000 SF on a 10-acre property. God did the miraculous and financially provided every step of the way.
    

During our last month in the High School, March 2011, we averaged 946 people in our two services. (This is the number Outreach Magazine asks for.) We moved into our facility the next month, April of 2011. By the following March of 2012 we averaged 1,879. During that time, we added two Saturday night services to our existing 2 Sunday mornings (making a total of 4 weekend services). One of those was added the weekend we moved in and another was added in the fall. 
   

Click to View Larger Image

In the last 16 months, we have seen hundreds of salvations, baptisms and people rededicating their lives to God, after years of being away from Him and the church. It truly has been a move of God.  Many people ask me, “Do you attribute all of your growth to your building?”  My answer is, no. I believe God wanted us to be permanent and yes, it did draw many people who would have never stepped foot in the High School. But more than that, I feel like nine years of preparation led us to be able to add and sustain twice as many people in one year.
    

It didn’t come without its challenges. Hard decisions had to be made quickly and we felt the attack of the enemy like never before. During that season, one of my sons had severe health issues, my wife had a surgery and spent 12 days in the hospital the month before we added our fourth service. It was the best year of our church and the worst year of our life. But in the end, when I think of the stories of life change, I reflect and know that it was all worth it.
   

So, that is our story “Behind the #9.” Through the last 10 years of Next Level Church, my wife and I have always prayed, “God, find us trustworthy with what you have given us… so you can trust us with more.” Let me encourage you today, wherever you are, be found trustworthy, because I believe, when you are, He will entrust you with more.

Drew, Sarah, Matt and Will Keller

   

Matt Keller; Lead Pastor
Next Level Church, Fort Myers, FL

@MatthewKeller
   

Articles to Resource You:

• Moving to a Two-Service Reality
• Slaying the “Monster” of Sunday  (to help Pastors get ahead and feel in control)
• Creating Home Field Advantage in Your Mobile Reality
• Raising up Communicators
• Building Buzz – Audio Download

  



Download the Outreach 100 Article Here