Anne Marie Miller

Category: Leadership

  • I Got a Face Lift (And Catalyst Backstage…)

    First thing’s first. I got a face lift. Well, my blog did anyway. So if you read this via email or RSS, hop on over and check it out. Many thanks to Brad Ruggles for his amazing design work on figuring out “if Anne Jackson was a website, she’d look like….”

    I’m in Atlanta for the Catalyst Conference this week. On Wednesday, I’m doing a Lab with Los and Jon about blogging (more or less, really about things off the blogs), and then Los and I are hosting Catalyst Backstage on Thursday and Friday.

    catalyst-backstage

    This year, there’s gonna be live video feed from the main room of music, speakers, and some surprises too, as well as exclusive interviews with most of the speakers including Malcolm Gladwell and Rob Bell, which I am super psyched about.

    So if you didn’t make it to Catalyst this year, tune in to CatalystBackstage.com. Before you know it, we’ll be the new Regis and Kelly.

  • Of Video Venues and Internet Churches

    The other day, I was having a conversation with two friends of mine: One is the worship pastor at a large, multi-site church and the other is a writer in disguise as a church conference guy.

    We were talking about multi-site churches and video venues and internet churches and we started wondering…

    Why is there more than one internet church? Couldn’t we all pull resources together for one online church?

    Why do most multi-site churches have to be video venues with the same speaker? Couldn’t each “campus” have their own campus pastor teach within the same theme or topic?

    There are many a great debate over these questions and so I ask you, with all the love you have inside of you, to discuss those questions.

    Let’s not debate if they are inherently right or wrong…but…let’s explore these expressions a bit, shall we?

    Respectfully. Please. Of course.

    (I wouldn’t expect anything less because you guys and gals are full of The Awesomeness!)

  • Blessed are the Peacemakers

    I’m happily in isolation on an island that can only be reached by seaplane or ferry. During this week away, I’ve asked several friends to fill in for me this week. Hopefully you’ll meet some new voices of people I admire.

    Today?s post comes from Josiah Potter. I’ve never actually met Josiah in person, but over the last few months, he’s been a huge cheerleader (is it okay to call a guy a cheerleader?), encourager, and a darn good songwriter.

    —–

    Blessed are the Peacemakers

    It?s no secret that if you work at a church you will get burnt one day.

    I?m talking about a deep wounding that is inflicted from someone you look to as either a mentor, elder or spiritual authority.

    My dad got burnt by the church.? My wife?s father got burnt by the church.? Anne has been burnt by the church.? I have recently been burnt by the church and I continue to hear heartbreaking stories from pastors around the nation staggering through the same valley.

    When people hear these stories they are blown away.? The western church has fallen into a dangerous niche where we elevate certain men and women to sinless standard because they teach from God?s Word on Sunday mornings.

    These men and women are filthy sinners just like you and me.? They need Jesus just like you and me.? They are subject to their own sinful nature yet we place them on a pedestal and then are amazed when they fall from it!

    The reactionary trend has been to respond to getting burnt by being angry and afraid.? The enemy loves is when we live in fear.? If we surrender to those things we ignore direct commands from Jesus Christ.

    God revealed to me last Friday that He wants me to be the peacemaker in my ?burnt situation.?

    I don?t want to be the peacemaker.? Everything in me and everyone around me tells me not to darken the door of the church.? Going and making peace scrapes against everything I?ve been taught about being a man, not backing down and the resistance has been bruising my spirit in the way a street-fighter’s fist collides with the pavement after his opponent dodges the attempted blow.

    But God told me to be the peacemaker so I will make peace.

    I will go to them this week, ask forgiveness for any wrong I have done against them, tell them I forgive them for the wounds they have inflicted and make peace.

    This isn?t a prideful attempt to steal glory or even draw sympathy to myself because of my situation.? This is done out of obedience to a Holy God who?s Son taught us to live in peace in a very functional and contagious way.

    Romans 12:18
    If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

    Mark 9:50
    “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

    I don?t know how my offering of peace will be received.? I am trusting God to handle that part.? I do know, however, that one day I will stand before Jesus Christ and He will ask me if I made peace with them and I will be able to respond.

    Yes.? I did.

    What is your story?
    Were you burnt?
    Did you make peace?

    —–

    If you’re currently wrestling through some hurt or trust issues, download Chapter 11 of Mad Church Disease. It is exactly about that. And it’s free.

    Download Chapter 11 – Processing through Pain

    Get the whole dang book.

  • Some Conferences You Should Know About

    The parallel for Back to School for church leaders is Back to Conference.

    There are several conferences coming up this Fall that I thought I’d let you know about. I’ll be at all but one of them, sometimes speaking.

    Christian Web Conference – (Biola U, La Mirada, CA) September 11 & 12 (*Speaking)

    Innovate 09 – (Granger, IN) September 24 & 25 (*I’ll be in NYC on vacation…but you should go!)
    A conference best experienced in team, Innovate delivers hard-earned, practical next steps no matter where you?re located, whether you?re a paid staff or unpaid volunteer, part of a church of 50 or 8,000 ? it?s unique. **I have THREE free passes to giveaway! To enter, just tell me in the comments that you’d like to win and I’ll choose three random winners!

    Catalyst – (Atlanta, GA) October 7-9 (*Speaking!)
    I’ll be speaking in one of the Catalyst Labs on October 7 and hosting Catalyst Backstage on the 8 & 9. TODAY (8/27) is the last day to get the early bird discount! Hurry!

    Story Chicago (Aurora, IL) – October 28 & 29 (*Not speaking, but I’ll be around!)
    Some of my favorite communicators will be speaking and one of my favorite people in the world is the genius behind this event.

    National Outreach Convention (San Diego, CA) – November 4-6 (*I’m the only girl speaking…please bring chocolate).

    Lead Now/Fusion (Dallas, TX & Satellite Broadcast everywhere!) – November 5-7 (*Speaking. Three times I think.)
    We live in a world where followers of Christ appear to be frozen in their faith, unable to take the necessary steps required to initiate true life transformation. We believe the problem is big, but the solution is even bigger.

    DIRT (Little Rock, AR) – November 10 & 11 (*Speaking. Three times I think.)
    Dirt is for the video and graphics guys (and girls), worship teams, creative staff, pastors (because you know all this is your fault anyway), sound and lighting crews, actors, weekend series developers, web and copy writers, and multi-site churches.

    (And then I am going to take a really, really long nap…)

    Will I see you around?

  • The Type of Person the 21st Century Needs

    Much to contrary belief, the type of person the 21st century needs is not:

    • the most innovative
    • the most technologically inclined
    • the most intellectual
    • the most educated
    • the most creative
    • the most beautiful
    • the most gifted
    • the most ambitious
    • the best leaders
    • the visionaries
    • the productive
    • the entrepreneurial
    • the most articulate

    The type of person the 21st Century needs is…(drumroll please…)

    Yourself.

    ————

  • Adventures of a Travelin’ Preacher Chick DVD

    Getting to know Christine Caine the last couple of months has been amazing. For those who aren’t familiar with Chris, you can read (and should read) more about her here. The girl preaches at Hillsong – heck, preaches all over the world for crying out loud – while fighting sex trafficking and injustice and equipping other leaders. And riding a pink vespa. Of course.

    Could I find a more lovely lady to look up to?

    Next month, while Chris is down at Healing Place Church, I am going to join her and she and I are going to record a couple of DVDs about women and life and ministry. One about anything and everything, and one specifically on the life of a travelin’ preacher chick. Because I know there are more of us out there than we realize, and I know there are questions we are all dying to know.

    We would love for YOU to be a part of these DVDs and would like to hear any questions you might have on:

    1. Having and doing it all…
    2. Traveling preacher chick ministry stuff…
    3. Effective communication…

    So, this isn’t just open to the ladies. Guys, if you have questions you’d like answered, rock them out below.

  • Be a Lab Rat and an Early Bird

    Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to host Catalyst Backstage – a behind the scenes look at Catalyst with interviews with speakers, pastors, and conference attenders. You can see some of those interviews here.

    This year, I will be hosting Backstage again, and also will be speaking at Catalyst Labs with Los and Jon. As much as I love the Catalyst experience as a whole, the Lab day is secretly my favorite part of the event. Smaller environments, people sitting on the floor, up the walls, wherever there is space hearing exclusive and intimate conversation and thought by the Lab speakers. So…I must highly recommend you not only register for Catalyst, but please register for the Lab day. You will NOT regret it!!!

    Anyway, today (Thursday) is the last day you can register at the cheapest rate. And rumor has it if you use the word “TONY” when you register you save even more money.

    I personally wonder what other four letter words will get you a discount.

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  • A Video Addressing Some Very Serious Questions…

    Recently, there have been some very serious questions asked about Mad Church Disease, and instead of writing an impersonal post, I thought I’d address you guys a little more formally, via video.

    Please see below:


    (This is what happens when you have some free time and a video camera late at night after the NBA Finals are over. And, just to clarify, no pastors were insulted in the making of this video. Andy Stanley also looks good, and Ed Young knows how to lead. Thankyouverymuch.)

    Autographed?
    Book Cover? (Any book ever!)

  • BOOK GIVEAWAY: From Eternity to Here

    Every once in a while, you’ll stumble on an author who makes you say, “That’s exactly what I’ve been feeling!” Someone, somewhere found the ability and artistry to take an emotion and name it. But not only do they label it, they expound on it. Where did this emotion come from? What does it mean? Where is it taking me? What should I do with it?

    But perhaps more profound is the experience of community. You realize you’re not alone in feeling or thinking a particular way.

    You’re not going crazy.

    And if you are, at least someone’s going there with you.

    Such is the case with my friend Frank Viola. Eons ago (in social media world, that translates into about six months), Frank sent me a message on Facebook, humbly introducing himself. As if I didn’t already know who he was and didn’t already devour every word he and George Barna wrote in the book Pagan Christianity. Still, I tried to play it cool.

    eternity_9kb1He had a new book releasing called From Eternity to Here and wanted to know if I’d take a look. I told him I needed to think about it. I was scared. Pagan Christianity messed me up enough and because I was in a busy season of life, I couldn’t afford to lose my sanity. He sent it anyway, and I waited until just recently to read it.

    Frank writes with a style you almost wouldn’t expect. Very very smart people with lots of letters after their name review and discuss his work and use lots of Greek words I kind of remember from the one Bible class I took ten years ago. I was intimated. I didn’t need to be.

    Poetically, thought-provokingly, and, as the academics would say, very very smartly Frank unfolds the story of God’s heartbeat. His mission. His love.

    One of my favorite takeaways from From Eternity to Here says this about Mary of Magdala.

    “Indeed, Mary of Magdala is a study in undying love. I ask you: What provoked such unending devotion? It was simply this: Mary believed the Lord’s opinion of her. She took His opinion of herself rather than her own. In doing so, love was awakened within her own heart for Christ…

    Therefore, the next time you feel condemnation over your past, please remember this one thing: The first person to lay eyes upon the resurrected Lord was a former prostitute.

    God chose Mary Magdalene from the foundation of the world, knowing the kind of life she would live. And He chose you and me from the foundation of the world, knowing full well all the mistakes we would make this side of the veil.

    You have a Lord who wishes to cherish you. Neither your fallen nature nor your sins are an obstacle for Him. He has dealt with them thoroughly, completely, and willingly by His death and resurrection.

    Never forget: This God of yours allowed a prostitute to love Him extravagantly in the house of a Pharisee. Such is the wonder of the sacred romance into which every believer has been swept up. So go in peace, and love your Lord like Mary did.”

    Dang, y’all.

    I asked Frank if I could give ten copies of From Eternity to Here away for our Thursday book giveaway, to which he kindly complied. Assuming you didn’t already click on the link and buy it yourself, here’s how you can win.

    To be entered, leave a comment with something you’ve always wondered (For example, mine would be “Am I the only one who wonders why blog posts on missions or social justice don’t get half the traffic of a book giveaway post?”) – and be entered. I?ll pick winners next Thursday and they shall be notified via electronic post. (That?s email). Use the TWEET THIS button below to earn double credit.

    So…what do you wonder?

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