With all the new faces around RPC, I thought I’d take a minute and answer some questions that I get asked from time to time.
1. What did you do before RidgePoint Church? I worked in Information Technology for Publix Supermarkets at their corporate office. I knew very little about programming computers, but I was good at speaking in front of large audiences so they made me a Product Manager. Which means I stayed busy training folks to use their software.
2. What kind of Bible do you use? I read lots of different translations, but on the weekends I teach from the New International Version (NIV). I like the Message and the Living Bible as well. And when I first became a Christian I used the New American Standard Bible, so when I quote verses from memory they’re often NASB. I think most translations are pretty faithful, so if there’s a specific one you like I’d say stick with it.
3. Do you really not like people? On the stage, I’m an extrovert and fairly animated. But when I’m not teaching, I’m a bit of an introvert. If you have any background in DISC profiling or Meyers-Briggs you understand primary & secondary temperaments. Let’s put it this way – at a party I’d be the guy sitting to the side with my 2 or 3 friends waiting for it to be over.
4. Why don’t you allow children in your services? Because that environment wasn’t designed for kids. The music is loud, and it’s dark, and sometimes I talk about subjects they’re not ready for. And while most men I know need to hear teaching about internet porn, you probably don’t want to explain it to your 6 year old. We’ve worked really hard to create age-appropriate environments for kids of all ages, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of them.
5. Do you do counseling? In spite of RPC’s size, I still counsel people fairly regularly. Most pastors give up counseling early in the growth of their church, but I really enjoy it and will do it as long as I can. But as we grow I have less time for it, so the chances that I’ll be able to counsel everyone who asks shrinks weekly. I’ll generally say yes as long as I’m not neglecting my professional or family responsibilities.
6. What do you do for fun? I like reading, history, [saltwater] fishing and golf. And I love hanging out with my family.
7. What is your educational background? I graduated from Clearwater Christian College in 1999 with a B.A. in Pastoral Studies and a B.A. in Bible. I also minored in Biblical Languages. I’ve taken some graduate-level courses, and will probably finish my Master’s one day, but for now I’m focused on not missing my little man grow up.
8. What do you do during the week? I know some people think pastors only work one day a week, but my week is usually pretty busy. I usually study and strategize in the morning, and meet with lots of people for leadership discussion and/or counseling in the afternoons. Right now I’m involved in a series of conference calls every week with NPCC. And most weeks I have at least one evening meeting to attend.
9. What achievement is most important to you? Without question: her. And judging by statistics I’d say staying married for 7 years is a big enough achievement.
10. If you weren’t a pastor, what would you do? I might be a lawyer or an entrepreneur of some type. Or figure out how to make a living off fishing. 
