Thirty years at the same church is not something you hear about every day. I’ve had the privilege of serving at Stevens Creek for three decades, and through it all, I’ve learned a thing or two (or five). As the Executive Pastor of Experience, I oversee everything from the parking lot to the stage. If you see it, hear it, or experience it—my team has a hand in it. I also oversee all of our campuses, which means I spend a lot of time making sure our vision is consistent across the board.
Needless to say I have seen a lot. So….over the next few posts I’m going to share 5 major lessons that I’ve learned throughout the years.
Excellence Matters
Think about it—when was the last time you heard someone say:
“That restaurant was completely average… I can’t wait to eat there again!”
“That golf course had three decent greens. I’m definitely booking another round next week.”
“That church wasn’t friendly at all, and I had no idea where to go. Sounds like my kind of place!”
“That worship band played half the notes right—sign me up to audition!”
No one says that. Because mediocrity doesn’t inspire anyone.
Excellence isn’t about being perfect; it’s about doing your absolute best with the talent, time, and resources God has given you. It’s about pushing yourself and those around you to always strive for better.
Excellence is just the gradual result of always striving to be better. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen by accident.
Excellence is in the Details
The little things matter.
A clean and welcoming environment makes a difference.
A well-rehearsed worship team leads people into deeper moments of worship.
Clear signage and friendly volunteers help new guests feel at home.
A well-prepared message carries more impact than one thrown together last-minute.
Great churches don’t happen by chance. They are built through intentionality and attention to detail. If we want to honor God and inspire people, we have to care about the small things.
Pulling Excellence Out of Your Team
If you want excellence to be part of your culture, you have to set the expectation for it. Here’s the truth:
People will only give a percentage of what you expect of them. If the bar is low, if the expectation is low, that’s exactly what you’ll get out of them.
Set high expectations, because people want to be excellent. They want to be a part of something great. And if you lead with excellence, they’ll follow.
Be the Example
Excellence starts with leadership. You can’t expect something from your team that you don’t model yourself.
Be an owner. If you see trash on the floor, pick it up.
Take pride in your space. Make sure your environment reflects the level of care you want your team to have.
Make your meetings efficient and engaging. People’s time is valuable—use it wisely.
Encourage and correct with grace. Excellence isn’t about being harsh; it’s about helping people grow.
At the end of the day, excellence isn’t about perfection—it’s about doing the very best we can with what God has given us. When we commit to excellence, we create a culture where people feel valued, inspired, and ready to do their best work for the Kingdom.
So set the bar high. Pay attention to the details. And most of all, lead by example. Because excellence honors God and inspires people.