The following are a few brief bullets that we use at Elevation when developing reports. � The goal with all reporting is to be able to measure the success of something. We use these basic points when analyzing any numerical data or systems that exist throughout Elevation Church. These guidelines determine how we gather data, analyze data and develop actions steps on improving systems.

• The purpose of all reports is to give data that will allow us to see weaknesses in areas that need improvement.
• All detailed reports should contain a cover sheet that gives a “flash” of the primary takeaways from the full report.
• Most reports that are done on an ad hoc basis should not paint a positive picture of a ministry area. The report is done in an effort to improve that area of ministry.
• Ongoing weekly reports will be done in an effort to keep a pulse on the health of the church.� Any fluctuations in these numbers will indicate there may need to be more of an investigation or there may be something that was incorrect.� These reports are to be done, always factoring out any abnormal Sundays or abnormal numbers that would paint the averages in a more positive light.
• Reporting and survey type data that is performed to investigate a system is to be done in a manner that would allow the responsibility to be felt by the church and not the individual.
• Any action steps for improvement that are extracted from a report are to be translated into goals that are monitored by supervisors.

Chunks Corbett, Executive Pastor

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What would happen if you decided you were actually going to hit all your deadlines? What if no one had to wonder if you were actually going to deliver when you said you were going to?In the Creative Dept, deadline mistrust is about the worst thing we can do. It really should be this way for every department.

When a video bumper doesn’t get produced check out what happens…

Video deadline gets missed…the bad news is delivered from the Video Editor to the Communications Director (in our org chart)…the Communications Director passes the news on to the Creative Pastor…the Creative Pastor sits through a meeting with the Executive Pastor or Lead Pastor and has to explain why the deadline wasn’t met…the missed deadline creates a sense of mistrust between parties…now things that shouldn’t be questioned are being questioned (what else is getting missed?)…the emotional energy it takes to not think about what else is missed doesn’t get used for more productive efforts…we’re not as productive or efficient as a church…we don’t create the optimal opportunity to hear about Jesus because we’re wasting time and energy…we’re not being good stewards for what God has given us…

Think this is a little dramatic? That might be the problem.

Of course, it doesn’t always play out like this, but the daisy chain is real whether you think so or not. Missing a deadline has the potential to send ripples so much further out than we realize.

Do the little things and communicate all along the way. It can only help.

Larry Hubatka, Creative Pastor

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I thought I’d take this opportunity to share who Pastor Steven Furtick is from my vantage point. Actually, what I’d like to do is dispel some myths that other people say about him and give you a real look under the hood; which will be much more fun.

So here we go. This is in no particular order and not in Letterman format. I have been with him for a long time and feel very qualified to write this and if you don’t agree this is my opinion and nobody else’s. In review, below is what I hear about him followed by what I know about him.
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Pastor Steven is…
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1. Inaccessible- He preaches 40-45 times per year (all available online) and blogs 5 days a week. If you need him more than that than you might be needier than he is inaccessible. We’ve also structured the church to allow him to seek God and prepare for Sundays while the rest of the staff does what they are called to do.

1. An overnight success- God called him to plant a large church in a large city 12 years ago. That’s a long night.

1. All about the numbers- Well, this one is true… He is all about the number of lives changed, marriages restored, addictions defeated, and people crossing from darkness into light. And so is God.

1. Too focused on evangelism- Our Sunday mornings will always be the super bowl. It will also always be the public display of what we do as a church. Everything is designed so that people far from God will be filled with life in Christ. Hence the term evangelism. What you don’t see are the hours of meetings planning and strategizing on how to move large numbers of people forward in their faith through small groups, volunteering, and living out their faith.

1. Arrogant- The larger Elevation grows, the more humble he becomes. He knows that he could not accomplish on his own what has happened at Elevation. I think there is a lot more temptation for pride and arrogance in a small church where the Pastor is the expert and knows how to do everything than a fast growing church where the leader is learning from God as he goes.

These are just a few myths that I thought I’d take a minute and bust. Pastor Steven Furtick is a great man of God; poised to impact the kingdom of God like no one else in our generation. It’s an honor to serve him and this church. It’s an honor to call him my Pastor.

Chunks Corbett, Executive Pastor
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Monday was a great day for our directional staff at Elevation Church. We were able to attend the churchplanters.com conference and see our Pastor do a breakout and main stage session. It was so encouraging for us to see what a national voice God has given Elevation Church to impact His kingdom.
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Pastor spoke about seeking God for direction on being who God has called you to be in your city. He cautioned church planters to not simply recreate what God has gifted other people to do in other cities. This is a powerful concept that I’ve witnessed in Pastor Furtick’s life firsthand through his preaching and leadership. God has always been his source and everything else has been a resource.
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Today is also a special day. I want to take a minute to honor my Pastor and wish him a happy birthday. He’s 28, that’s right 28 years old. He tells me this all the time and I firmly believe it: the best is yet to come in his life and the life of Elevation Church. �
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Wednesday we are taking the entire staff to C3 is Dallas, TX. We couldn’t be more excited. The conference is going to be great and the time we have together as a staff to dream, pray, and set goals is often the some of the most valuable time we spend on conference trips.

Chunks Corbett, Executive Pastor

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