McFadden Place

Earlier this year I finished Donald Miller’s book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years (http://amillionmiles.com/).  Since beginning (and finishing) his book I’ve been reflecting on my story.  It was a couple of months after I finished his book when he published a blog post that revived that desire to live a great story http://donmilleris.com/2010/04/30/if-youre-life-were-a-movie. It was around this same time I was on a retreat with some of the Denver Community Church (DCC) staff, elders and deacons.  We spent some time looking at our values (both corporate and individual).  The combination of Miller’s book with some quiet time reflecting on my values created a chemical reaction within my soul.  I’m still grappling with what is stirring within me.  In the meantime I’m going to take Miller’s suggestion and spend some time writing about my storylines.   He suggests:

1. State who the character or characters are.
2. State the single primary ambition. Make it clear and defined.
3. Name the conflict, and if you can, state how that conflict will be overcome.
4. Ask a question at the end that pertains to the climax (i.e., Will The Mentoring Project be able to shut down fifteen percent of American Prisons?)

So I’m ready to take the risk and put pen to paper and write my storylines.  Honestly, it’s difficult because I know as I type it and “ship it” (as Seth Godin would say http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/01/unrealized-projects.html) I will be responsible for the result.  So without further adieu, below are the storylines I find myself within….

A Passionate Husband and Dad

It’s what I strive to be … a passionate husband and dad (and family member).  It’s easy to be a husband and dad but to be passionate and engaged is something worth obtaining.  To be someone that doesn’t allow “life” to squeeze priorities to the sidelines.

Michael (husband) and Kelly (wife) were married in early 2004 and have two children Campbell and Piper.  The cast might expand (and is expected to in Feb 2011) but at the current time there are four main characters.  Secondary characters include family and close friends.

The McFadden family lives in a consumer-centric, wealthy, American culture in which we desire to live differently.  We desire to live Christ-centered lives – ones that bring the joy of Christ and the love of Christ to those around us.  We battle to maintain perspective and live holy lives.  Our goal is to trust in the Lord and do good (Psalm 37:3).

Can we live in such a way that we positively change the world around us?

Serving at the Local Church

The local church has the unique capacity and opportunity to make a difference in the world.  Ironically, it takes ordinary people who are one in spirit to make it effective.

I serve at Denver Community Church alongside the elder team, deacons, and staff.  Together with the congregation we serve the local community.  We live in a world filled with pain and hurt and it takes incomprehensible love and humility to make a difference.

Will Denver Community Church positively change the way people live and love?  Will more people seek Jesus – the redeemer – and have their lives transformed?

Entrepreneur, Artist and Provider

I am a follower, a leader, an entrepreneur, an artist, a builder, a beneficiary, and a provider. I’m a guy that has been influenced by many people.  Some of these people I’ve had little interaction with and others I have known for a long time.  A few of these people include Jim Audiss, Scott Berkley, Jake Braly, Bridgette Braig, Steve Bratspies, Jean Campbell, Jeff Campbell, Robert Campbell, Stephan Chambers, Fran Colamatteo, John Cooke, Adam DeVito, Huy Do, Marty Esarte, Chris Fearn, Dr. Jerry Gibson, Seth Godin, Michael Hidalgo, Marty Hoffman, Doug Holt, Allan Hunter, Erin Kerr, the Klatt family, Pierce Louis, TJ Mahony, Jody Mayes, Brian McFadden, Ed McFadden Sr., Joan McFadden, Joseph McFadden, Kelly (Campbell) McFadden, Michael McFadden Sr., Donald Miller, George Porter, Greg Porter, Joe Rice, Paul Rode, Dave Runyon, Jessica Shortall, Victor Sidel, Brody Smith, Ryan Steelberg, Rick Sterling, Lynn Sutter, 37signals, Robert Venick, Michael Von Ebers.

It’s my desire to create and build.  Not solely as an entrepreneur but also as an intrapreneur (one that innovates within organizations). I have had several jobs and projects that fuel my desires.  I am currently transitioning from the role of a founder to a builder within an organization.

My passion for creating also is what provides for my family and lifestyle.  I have recently found myself living in the tension of providing and following my passions.

Will I stay to true to myself?

Helping Charities via VacationHomesForCharity.org

VH4C is helping charities raise more money at their fundraising events.  We have set out to raise a total of $1 million by the spring of 2011 and then a minimum of $1 million each year following.

Charities and non-profit organizations have the difficult task of remaining focused on their mission while living in the reality of generating funds to keep their vision alive.

We invite organizations involved in the travel and real estate industries to come along and make a difference.  Together we can do amazing things for our world.

Can we reduce the time charities search for auction items in half so they can focus on doing good?

Helping Local Charities via Denver Active 20-30

Denver Active 20-30 (DA 20-30) raises money for Denver-based charities that support children.  For over 20 years DA 20-30 has held various fundraising events in efforts to raise money to support these charities.  Together with local businesses and organizations, DA 20-30 raises nearly $500,000 a year to support Denver’s underprivileged children.

I am a small piece in the puzzle.  I am able to spend a few extra hours a month to help these charities and at the same time meet like-minded individuals that live in the area.

Helping Addicts (early stages)

As most people, addiction has greatly affected my life in many ways.  It’s my desire to better understand the affect addiction has on our culture and on our families and then serve with others to help address the problem.  I’m not quite sure what this story entails … I just know that I am acutely aware of the affect addiction has on my life and I believe I’m not alone.  I’d like to provide a way to help.

I’d like to help the kids but also the “grown up” kids still dealing with these issues.  I don’t have answers.  Just a lot of questions right now.

NOTE: I originally wrote these story lines May 3, 2010 then revised in July and am now publishing in Sept 2010.  They are a work in progress.