I’m going to go ahead and tell you this will be a very biased book review. Here’s why: I’m a huge fan of Mark Batterson. As a pastor, communicator, blogger, writer and friend. He’s one of those guys that when you are around him, you can’t help but get excited about what God’s doing. I so pumped that he is our first session for Backstage Leadership starting in January. So, now for book thoughts…

Mark opens the book with an honest look into his own heart and relationship with Christ. He says it was lacking some of the joy and passion it once had. (I connected immediately)  Here’s a quote I love from that section:

I knew that getting back what I once had meant getting back to the basics

That is what the whole book is about: helping you get back to the basics.

As with all of Mark’s previous books, I would highly recommend it for your learning and reading enrichment. I did get an advance copy of the book for free, but for the record I would have bought this book and read it regardless. If you’re looking for a good book over the Christmas break or to start the year with, you need to check it out here.

Mark Batterson

and ask him anything, what would it be?  Now you have the chance. Mark is the first speak for the next session of Backstage Leadership that starts in January. Sign up today! I am so excited to have Mark a part.

Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church (www.theaterchurch.com) in Washington, DC. NCC was recognized as one of the Most Innovative and Most Influential Churches in America by Outreach Magazine in 2008. One church with nine services in five locations, NCC is focused on reaching emerging generations. Approximately 70% of NCCers are single twenty-somethings.
The vision of NCC is to meet in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the DC area. NCC also owns and operates the largest coffeehouse on Capitol Hill. In 2008, Ebenezers was recognized as the #1 coffeehouse in the metro DC area by AOL CityGuide.  Mark has two Masters Degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago, Illinois. He is the author of a best-selling book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. His latest release is Wild Goose Chase. And he is a daily blogger @ www.markbatterson.com.  Mark is married to Lora and they live on Capitol Hill with their three children: Parker, Summer, and Josiah.

I’ve only known Mark for a little while, but if you count his writing and speaking, then its a relationship of many years.  If you’ve read any of Mark’s books or his blog, then you know he’s an amazing communicator. In fact, Wild Goose Chase was a catalyst in the ministry of Backstage Leadership.  He once wrote on his blog that the reason he writes is because it gives him the opportunity to communicate to more people. More people learned from A.W. Tozer after his death than while he was alive.  Mark is sooooo down to earth and humble, yet you can not be around him and NOT get excited.  His passion to learn and grow as a leader and teacher is awesome. Mark told me he reads at least 100 books a year!!! But before kids it was 150 +.  He shared a little wisdom nugget on how he does that and I’ve thought about it almost every day for 5 months. I’m on track to read 50+ this year.  You will learn a lot from him, I guarantee it. Check outMark’s blog, follow him on twitter and check out his church if you’re in D.C.

Come be a part of the conversation with Mark. Join us on a learning journey where you’ll get to dialogue with Mark and ask him the questions you want to.

www.backstageleadership.org. Join Today.

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What’s a question you have for Mark?

Here’s a behind the scenes chat with an amazing strategic thinker, who’s worked with great churches and organizations over the past 14 years. Dawn is the co-founder of Aspire One and Jarbyco.

If you’d like the chance to ask your own questions, be sure to sign up for the next Backstage Leadership class starting in January. Get to ask questions to great leaders like Mark Batterson, Dan Cathy, Ken Blanchard and Mike Foster.Click here for more info.

Any thoughts on the interview?

When you don’t do the little things right, eventually the big things will suffer too. This is true in business, ministry and even marriage. Getting this right takes time and focus. And I’ve noticed that the great leaders get it right.

Here are some examples:

• Sending the email when you said you would
• Paying your invoices on time
• Showing up to the meeting prepared
• A few weeks ago for a Backstage Leadership session, our speaker Gabe Lyons, showed up a few minutes early
• I heard that President Clinton would remember your name, even if he only met you once
• Saying thank you
• Listening when someone talks instead of trying to make your next point
• Ikea has pencils, paper and rulers in their show rooms in case you left yours at home

What are some other examples that you’ve seen?

A brief interview with blogger Jon Acuff of Stuff Christians Like. Jon shares some great insights on the fact that his blog wasn’t an over night success. He actually spent lots of time (years) writing before the current blog. And it paid off. I also love Jon’s heart to use his platform for good. Through the readership of his blog he built 2 schools in Vietnam. If you like to be a part of that, click here. By the way, the interview gets cut short, so hopefully we’ll finish the full version soon.

If you’d like the chance to ask your own questions, be sure to sign up for the next Backstage Leadership class starting in January. Get to ask questions to great leaders like Mark Batterson, Dan Cathy, Ken Blanchard and Mike Foster.Click here for more info.

Any thoughts on what Jon said?

I’m currently working on my reading list for 2010 and I need your help. My goal is to read more books than 2009, so I’m compiling a list of 65 books to read in 2010. With so many options, I want to invest my reading time the best I can.

What are the best 3 books you’ve read in the past 12 months?

What are your all time favorite books? (3-10)

What books are on your reading list?

A quick interview with Pete Wilson, pastor of Cross Point in Nashville, TN. Besides being called out by Carlos Whittaker for a corn-hole game, Pete shared some great insight for Church Planters and leaders. Mainly, lead well at home. By the way, check out the festive Christmas decor in the office!

If you’d like the chance to ask your own questions, be sure to sign up for the next Backstage Leadership class starting in January. Get to ask questions to great leaders like Mark Batterson, Dan Cathy, Ken Blanchard and Mike Foster.Click here for more info.