I’ve got 2 signed copies of Jon’s book, Stuff Christians Like. To claim a copy, simply post this message to Twitter or Facebook: “Win free copy of @prodigaljohn book Stuff Christians Like here: http://ow.ly/2o8fy”

Then simply post a comment below that answers the following:

1. What is the funniest church reader board message you’ve ever read?
2. If you could sit down with Jon, author of Stuff Christians Like, what would you ask him?

We’ll select 2 winners and mail you the golden edition. Spread the love.

Don’t miss the chance to get extended time with Jon this year during Backstage Leadership.

I am thrilled to have Scott Harrison of Charity: Water join our list of speakers for Backstage Leadership this year. Scott’s story is awesome. His organization is doing amazing work. His heart for people and change is even better. Scott and Charity:Water have done an amazing job of making change, even among economic uncertainties. Learn how they went from 0 to 1.3 million people impacted in less than four years.  Watch Scott’s story below. Help build a well. And join Scott and other amazing leaders for Backstage Leadership.

1. New places:

Traveling is a great way to be exposed to everything new–new people, new views, new colors, new styles, new stores, new churches, new buildings, new landscapes, new food, and new words. Travel overseas if you can. Drive to the nearest largest city and walk around downtown. Observe what you see. Take in the lights, the sounds and the smell. Take pictures. Write down names of streets or restaurants that are new to  you.

2. Books:

If the saying is true, there is nothing new under the sun, then where do new ideas come from? Mostly its combining 2 or more old ideas into something different. The best way to find old ideas to work with is in books. Read different books. Stop reading the same genre. There are only so many marketing, management or leadership books you can read. Read outside of your career topics. Read biographies, fiction, or science books. Exposure to various ideas will help connect you to a vast assortment of future ideas.

3. Isolation:

In our fast pace worlds, there is little time to get away. Many times we can’t find good ideas because our lives are too loud. Schedule times of shutting off the computer, TV, smart phone, iPod, and iPad so you can have time to think, pray and focus. We find in Mark 1:35 that Jesus was an early riser so he could spend time alone and hear from God. Maybe you’re not hearing anything because  you’re hearing too much.

4. People:

Go find some new friends, or at least some friends that are different than you. If you hang around the same people all the time, you will have the same conversations and ideas as you always do. Find some friends in a different field and spend time learning from them. Find leaders from a different culture to learn and dialogue. New people are like libraries of new books and places. Learn from their experiences.

Where are you finding your ideas? What places have you recently been to that inspired you? What books are you reading?

While I’m not a church planter, I love them and understand them. As a fellow entrepreneur, I know that starting something is hard, tiring, stressful but still the most exciting thing in the world. It’s a constant tension between stressful and worth it. You wake up one day and you want to quit. The next day you’re committed until the world is changed. Up and down. Up and down. Up and down. The scenery is different, but the ride is the same. Take heart, you’re not alone.

That’s why this year, we’re doing something special with Backstage Leadership. As a special component of the ministry this year, we are having 2 Backstage sessions for church planters with Mark Batterson and Pete Wilson. Both Mark and Pete have experienced the ups and downs, wins and losses, and highs and lows of church planting. Our time with them will include diving into the principles they’ve learned so that you can be better equipped as a church planter. This is a Backstage conversation you don’t want to miss.

And…you’ll get all the other Backstage sessions with Francis Chan, Wess Stafford, Jud Wilhite, Scott Belsky and others to be announced soon. Join us Backstage here

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The first letter that Peter wrote to early Christians during the first century was to a group of people that were facing trials that most of us can not fathom. His readers were forced to flee from their homes because of their faith. Life for them was scary, uncertain, and difficult. Many of you can relate to that. Life is hard right now. The future has never seemed so uncertain. But, this too shall pass.

As I was reading Peter’s letter this morning, I was trying to understand what the readers were thinking and feeling. Peter opens the letter by addressing his readers and his perspective on their current situation is amazing. I love how the HCSB puts it. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the temporary residents of the Dispersion…” Peter knows that his readers are going through a lot of junk. They are now dispersed throughout the land because of the Roman persecution. But, he reminds them that they are only temporary residents. In other words, your current situation is not your final situation.  What a great reminder that we all need to hear. Peter is saying that there is still hope.

No matter what your current situation is, it is only temporary. What is even better, is that we have been given a living hope through Christ. After reminding his readers that their issues are only temporary, he then goes on to give them a reason to have faith in a better future. “He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading…” We now have a living hope that is not tied to the economy, our jobs, the government, or any other outside force. Our hope is secured in Christ and this gives us the strength to keep going.

Remember, we are only temporary residents. This too shall pass. Greater things are yet to come!