Preston Mitchell's Blog

The 2011 World Series

Tonight is Game 7 of the 2011 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals.  If the Rangers win tonight, I will have a childhood dream fulfilled.  When the Rangers moved to Arlington in 1972, they were a joke.  For the most part, they have been a joke until the last couple of years.  But to be in the World Series the last two years is unbelievable. My Dad and I used to drive from Killeen to Arlington (3 hours one way) to go to games.   

I couldn't help but think of him last night during the craziest game in World Series History. He would have cheered for his boyhood team - the Cardinals.  I am so thankful we enjoyed something together.  It brought back a lot of memories of the old Arlington Stadium.  It may have been ugly, but what happened on the field and in the stands was miraculous. Just me and my Dad watching baseball, eating hot dogs and drinking Cokes.  We didn't see the Rangers win much, but it was still a great time. 

I wish my dad were alive to enjoy this World Series.  I wish Cameron were here instead of LA so we could watch the game together.  I've tried to pass my love of baseball down to him. I laughed last night because he tweeted throughout the game.  His followers from Latin America, the Middle East and the former Soviet Union didn't know what he was talking about, but they got excited because he was excited.

I hope the Rangers win tonight.  If they don't win life will continue and I can store more great memories to the baseball file I keep in my heart.

 

GO RANGERS!

A New Way to Hire Staff

After working as a search consultant with the Vanderbloemen Search Group, I believe we are standing on the cutting edge of the 21st century church. Social networks, technology and staff led churches have changed the way churches find staff.

The American church's hiring process in most churches hasn't changed in 100 years. Many churches incorporate a democratic approach to selecting staff by using "search committees" and congregational votes (which is not found in scripture) to find God's man or woman. In my opinion, search committees are not the most effective way to find a staff member. Before you turn me off, read the rest of my blog. All I want to do is get church leaders and congregations to see the hiring process a little differently. Times are changing.

That's where we come in.

The Vanderbloemen Search Group finds quality candidates to fill staff positions in churches. We are a group of people who feel called to minister to the local church. Without a committed staff, there is no foundation for the church. /The advantages of hiring VSG are:

    *    Save time - we will do all the work of searching for candidates, making the call, background checks and face-to-face interviews.  We are following the qualifications and personality the church has decided are important.  Our goal is tosearch and find candidates in 120 days (depending on the church.)

    *    Unbiased - we have no reason to be involved in the hiring process. Our mission is to bring 4-6 candidates to the church.  The church decides who gets the job.  We are on standby if help is needed.

    *    National data base - we have contacts across the nation.  

    *    Adds to the plus side of the budget - whatever the expenses are to hire VSG, the  candidate should pay for themselves in a year.  If the right person is hired, their leadership, creativity and passion should be reflected in giving.

For more information, check out our website at www.vanderbloemensearch.com. 

Wow! There is so much to share from this crazy year. 2011 has been a year of change. I left Fellowship Church after 21 years! I went to work for the Vanderbloemen Search Group (www.vanderbloemensearch.com. We moved to Houston. We became empty nesters when Cameron moved to LA. We live in the city in a townhome (no yard). I wear glasses. I have forgiven, ask forgiveness, fled from bitterness, learned to trust and love again. I followed God's timing without doubt.. God was faithful and delivered me from the pit to the pinnacle of the Christian life.

One day I may write a book. I still paint. I love my job. My sports teams all reside in the DFW area. I wish I could get the Ticket on radio.

More later!

I am back!