My most successful clients are a part of what I call “learning organizations.” These are growing, dynamic churches, businesses or ministries that are seldom satisfied with the status quo. They are always learning and searching for ways to make a good experience a great one, to reach even more people, and to improve on what most people would label as a “wow” product. This past weekend I had the privilege of joining another learning organization. The Women of Faith tour reaches out to hundreds of thousands of women every year in 30 cities around the country. They have world-class speakers, singers, entertainers and production that’s second to none. I believe every woman would benefit from being in a WFO event no matter where they are in their faith walk. This weekend, for example, over 12 thousand women came to Atlanta’s Philips Arena for this two-day event. On record, there were…

This week I had the opportunity to host a client’s first trip to Nashville. He grew up in Dallas, now lives in Colorado Springs and has traveled extensively through Europe. He is also is a foodie and has eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world. I wondered how Nashville would fare in his ranking of cities. Michael loved the green, rolling hills, the cool evenings and mornings. We had a phenomenal meal at Watermark in the trendy Gulch district, which rivals some of the best known restaurants in the country. Driving around downtown, I introduced my friend to our Capitol building, the Union Station Hotel, Second Avenue (he even commented on the Batman Building) and then we made our way to beautiful Williamson county, which I consider part of the greater Nashville experience. We never got to Edwin and Percy Warner Parks, the Natchez Trace or Old…

This week I got to spend some time with a great group of people at C3 Church in Clayton, NC. I always enjoy connecting with visionary leaders. I meet professional Christians almost on a daily basis, but it’s not often that I run into people who see what’s not there and who trust God to build something than can only be described as a “God thing.” Matt and Martha Fry took over a Bible study in the middle of nowhere, NC back in 1998. Today there’s an amazing church drawing close to 4 thousand people on the weekends, reaching out to an entire community and region with the good news of the Gospel. Driving up to the church one has to go through tobacco fields on a one-lane road and suddenly, there it is: a sprawling beautiful campus–a testament of vision, faith and leadership. It has that “field-of-dreams” vibe to…

I travel all over the country visiting some of the most innovative churches around. It’s rare when I run into an experience that touches me deeply, and I recognize it as the latest trend that will sweep the country. It looks like the Worship Team from Faith Community Church is on to something big. < p/ center>

I miss my dad today. Monday I left him in Florida at my sister’s house while my family and I drove back to Tennessee. He stood at the front porch fighting the inevitable tears. Being close to my father, Senhor Maurilio, as he is known in Brazil, is something very new to me. Growing up I respected my father, but I mostly feared his occasional outbursts of violence. Even though there were not often, these incidents left very powerful and negative impressions on me. I also remember my father always nursing headaches that prevented him from any meaningful exchange with me or my siblings. But God and time have a way to heal wounds and change people. In the last 25 years that I’ve lived in the US my father has changed into a kind, low-maintenance and fun man. Three weeks ago he came from Brazil by himself without knowing…