Archive for January, 2010
7 Differences Between A Coach And A Critic – Part One January 19, 2010
One of THE most commonly asked questions I am asked whenever I have the privilege to spend time with pastors and church leaders is always, “How do you deal with critics?”
Like it or not…anyone who leads will always have his/her share of them.
I have some great godly friends who will probably disagree with me on this one, but, I don’t listen to them…I never have. Scripture is clear in Proverbs 27:6 that wounds from a FRIEND can be trusted – AND Jesus NEVER allowed His critics to direct the course of His ministry.
HOWEVER…
For a church leader to take the journey of leadership alone is FOOLISH and ARROGANT as well. God has placed other people in our lives for the purpose of encouraging AND correcting us.
SO…how does a person choose who to listen to? It’s simple…there is hardly EVER a time a person should listen to a critic…but he/she should ALWAYS listen to a coach. (I learned a lot of this while watching every Clemson home game from the sideline this year…and so just know that there will be a lot of football illustrations in this post.)
AND…I understand that by doing this series of blog posts I may seem to be sort of reactionary. (Which is funny because it seems that critics can sit back and take shot after shot…but when a pastor says something back they are always “overreacting.”) I can promise you that this series of posts is not in response to any particular person (which I will address @ the end) but rather something written for pastors by a pastor…because there are men and women out there who REALLY struggle with this stuff.
I believe there are seven main differences between a coach and a critic.
#1 – A Coach Has A Relationship With You – A Critic Barely Knows You.
Church leader, mark this down…when you allow the voices of those who know you the least to shape you the most then you are in SERIOUS trouble.
Watching Clemson play football this past year from up close has been awesome for me because I’ve been allowed to see the relationship between the coaches and the players. Over a period of time there is trust built in the context of this relationship and the player honors what the coach says because of the trust that has been developed.
I’ve never seen a player give the time of day to the dude in the stands who has a hot dog and a Coke and does nothing but yell his opinion the entire time. To that guy the player on the field is nothing more than a helmet and shoulder pads…but to the coach the player is a person, who has real feelings—period.
NOW…this analogy breaks down in certain areas. For example…I’ve been coached by mentors through books and such; however, the thing that the authors who have coached me from a distance have that critics do not is my respect.
To be Continued…
New Leadership Podcast January 18, 2010
So…we started a leadership podcast. (Yes, as a matter of fact I am trying to be like Andy Stanley…except for the fact that he is both smarter and godlier than me…I think I’m getting close!) :-)
It is available on itunes if you are interested…and is creatively entitled, “The Perry Noble Leadership Podcast.”
Every month we will be tackling a leadership question/issue that we face as leaders in the church…we had a blast doing this first one on, “The Alarm Inside of a Leader.”
So…if you want it…it’s available on itunes for free.
That’s all!
Sunday Night Reflections…On Monday Morning! :-) January 18, 2010
The internet was down at the Noble house last night…so here’s Sunday Night Reflections…on Monday!
- I felt like yesterday was one of the ABSOLUTE BEST services we’ve EVER had at NewSpring Church. (The energy at our 6:00 crowd last night in Anderson was AMAZING!)
- We saw 55 people surrender their lives to Christ yesterday…that NEVER gets old.
- Columbia and Florence BOTH set attendance records with over 700 showing up at each campus…and our overall attendance was in the top five in our history…on a HOLIDAY weekend!
- So proud about the fact that our church took a special offering for the relief efforts in Haiti…and gave over $60,000!!! So thankful for the amazing generosity displayed!
- Uh…to say that the campuses are PUMPED about the BILO Center this Sunday would be an UNDERSTATEMENT! WOW…like I said, get there EARLY next week if you want to get a seat…traffic is going to be insane!
- We are announcing where we are starting our 5th location at the BILO Center on Sunday…and I am so excited about it that I want to just tell you now…but…I will wait! (It IS in the state of South Carolina.)
- So thankful for the 10 years of ministry here at NewSpring Church that God has given Lucretia and I…so hard to believe that we had 115 people at our first service, and today there was well over 11,000…we had NO IDEA!
- When I first entered the ministry in 1990 I had no idea that Jesus would allow me to plant a church.
- When I planted this church in 2000 I had NO IDEA…
- And when it comes to what this will look like in 2020…I have no idea…because…
- No matter how big you can dream…God’s dreams/plans are always bigger! (Ephesians 3:20)
- I am dreaming of a church where the people continually embrace the fact that it isn’t the pastor that’s called to minister to the people…but rather the body ministering to the body! It’s not just me doing my part…but US doing our part! AND I am SO thankful that I am seeing this more and more in our church!
- I am dreaming of a church where people embrace generosity and rebel against greed! The reason the Gospel isn’t advancing IS NOT because Jesus isn’t powerful but rather because “Christians” embrace greed and not generosity!
- BTW…it is SO encouraging to see a church where people continually step out in faith and trust God by doing what He said! (See Malachi 3:10 and Proverbs 3:9-10)
- I am dreaming of a church where a religious SYSTEM is despised and a radical SAVIOR is embraced!
- I am dreaming of a church where repentance is normal and people are desperate to hear the voice of God.
- I am dreaming of a church where celebration is regular…if the tomb is empty and Jesus is alive then our worship services should reflect that!
- Too many people have reverence and rigormortis confused!
- I am dreaming of a church where people are CONSTANTLY meeting Jesus…HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE! (Zephaniah 3:17!)
Hey NewSpring Church…I LOVE you guys, to say that I am looking forward to this Sunday would be an understatement! It is going to be an amazing day to see over 15,000 people gather together from ONE church to worship ONE GOD!
Please pray this week as the date gets closer and closer…bring your friends and family members who do not know Christ…and let’s HAVE SOME CHURCH!
Some Random Thoughts And Links January 15, 2010
It’s Friday…my day to be random, so here goes…
#1 – Can’t WAIT for our 10 year anniversary service next Sunday (the 24th) at the BI-LO Center in Greenville. (Here is more information on it!) PLEASE plan to get their early…we are expecting traffic to be insane!
#2 – Unleash is selling out QUICKLY! There are less than 400 spots open…so if you are planning on being here you had better purchase your ticket soon! I am PUMPED about it (BIG SURPRISE!) Go here to sign up!!!
#3 – I’m REALLY honored that Pete Hise, pastor of Quest Community Church, has invited me to speak at “The Uprising” this April. The early bird rate for this conference ($49) ends today. Honestly, I am excited about this event because I get to hear Pete (who is one of the most passionate people I know when it comes to seeing people meet Christ) and Shaun King (one of the greatest young leaders out there) speak. I think in my talk I am just going to get up and say, “Do what Pete and Shaun said!”
#4 – This post by Pete Wilson on three questions that will change you is a MUST READ!
#5 – This post by Mark Batterson on, “Be careful little thumbs what you text” is awesome as well!
#6 – Sunday is going to be amazing…praying for and believing that God is going to do HUGE things. We will be taking a special offering for the relief effort going on in Haiti…so please come prepared to step up and be generous!
#7 – BBQ is going to be served in heaven!!! (Along with ice cream…and neither will have ANY calories or fat grams!)
What Keeps Me Focused As A Leader? January 14, 2010
#1 – The Sovereignty of God - The longer I am in ministry (and live) the more I HAVE to believe that He really does have the whole world in His hands. I believe one of the reasons so many ministry leaders carry so much stress around is that we can TEACH on the fact that He reigns…but deep down we don’t really believe it as evidenced by the frantic worry that dominates our lives. If I am to NOT lose my mind I need to focus on HIS power–not mine!
(To the pastor who may be struggling with an issue–HE KNOWS ABOUT IT and HE’S GOT IT!!!)
#2 – The Supremacy of Scriptures – I LOVE telling stories, I LOVE using stage props, I LOVE bringing in video illustrations…but NOTHING trumps the supremacy of the Scriptures. If a church/ministry is going to be successful it CANNOT begin by saying, “I have this really GREAT video idea, can we find a Scripture verse to support it?” Correct theology MUST drive our methodology–always! AND…at the end of the day the people coming to our churches need to hear God’s Word more than they need to hear anything else.
(To the pastor who is struggling with what to preach Sunday…BRING HIS WORD!!! Isaiah 55:8-13…it will NEVER return void.)
#3 – The Counsel of Coaches - There is a HUGE difference between a critic and a coach. No player on the field EVER became a major player and accomplished great things because he stopped and listened to everyone in the stands who had an opinion. BUT he had better listen to the coaches that are placed in his life if he ever wants to accomplish more than he thought possible. (I will blog more about the differences between critics and coaches later.) The bottom line is that there has GOT to be people in your life that you listen to and seriously consider everything they say…no leader has been called to fly solo! You cannot listen to everyone…but you had better be listening to someone. I am SO THANKFUL for the great coaches Jesus has allowed to come into my life!
#4 – The Realization of Matthew 16:13-18 – Scripture is clear that it is HIS church, that HE will build it. Reality is this…He loves the church, cares for the church and wants to see it succeed way more than I do. In fact, the very love I have for the church was placed into me BY HIM!!! I don’t have to convince Him to keep His eye on the church–it’s already here!!!
#5 – The Belief in Greater Things – I believe there is more in store for the local church, not just NewSpring Church, but ANY church that throws off meaningless things and embraces who God is and what He has called them to do. Ephesians 3:20 is one of my life verses…and it is a foundational verse at NewSpring as well. Yes, we can celebrate the past–but we cannot live there because HE IS A GOD WHO IS ABLE TO DO GREATER THINGS!!! The very thought of, “what is He going to do next” absolutely FIRES me up…and keeps me desperate for HIM!
(To the pastor who thinks it may be over…if it were over He would take you home! The reason you are still here is because HE STILL HAS A PLAN! Don’t quit on the God that has never quit on you…Ephesians 3:20 isn’t just a cute verse, it’s REAL!!!)
How To Make Sure Your Church Is Boring! January 13, 2010
I know some people do not agree with me…but I FIRMLY believe that church should not be a boring place…because…
- The Bible is NOT boring–the teachings of God’s Word are more relevant and exciting that anything on the planet.
- Jesus was NOT boring – to see His life lived out in the Scriptures AND to see WHO HE IS should inspire AWE, not apathy!
- Our message is NOT boring – Jesus was DEAD, came BACK TO LIFE and offers us the same opportunity, to cross over from death to life and be reconciled to God–THAT’S FREAKIN AWESOME!!!
- The Book of Acts is NOT boring – there is NOWHERE in the book of Acts that ritual replaced relationship!
If the tomb is empty, Jesus is alive and HOPE is possible then HIS church should reflect that.
BUT…if you want to make sure your church is boring, here are Eight Simple Steps…
#1 – There has GOT to be apathetic leadership – Seriously, the leaders in the church MUST be obsessed with not rocking the boat and pursuing personal comfort!
#2 – There CANNOT be a desire to reach people far from God! Seriously, new birth can bring excitement to a church, which is NOT what people in pursuit of boredom desire. SO…don’t focus on the Gospel…instead teach lots of history lessons and talk about things that very few people actually care about. This will keep people far from God away from your group of people, thus not messing up the chemistry in your holy huddle. WHATEVER you do…DO NOT talk about the Gospel…it changes people!!!
#3 – DO NOT call for ANY type of commitment from ANYONE–EVER! People MUST be allowed to come and go as they please…and must NEVER be made to feel uncomfortable under any type of circumstances. If people begin responding to God it will increase the excitement level, which cannot happen in a boring place.
#4 – Always be predictable. Do the same songs at the same times, pray the same prayers and make SURE that people can look at their watch at any point in the service and know exactly what’s coming next.
#5 – Make excuses when things are done poorly! WHATEVER you do…do NOT address the obvious issues that are right under your nose. In fact, if you will simply criticize any church or ministry that IS seeing success it will take the attention off of your dysfunction and allow you to maintain the current state of your church.
#6 – PLEASE make sure not to make ANY type of references to culture in your church services. If you want to have a boring church then you’ve GOT to make people believe that the lives they live Monday through Saturday and then the life they live on Sunday are two separate things. You cannot teach that Scripture speaks to culture…because if people begin making that connection then they will begin to experience what Jesus promised in John 10:10!
#7 – You’ve GOT to allow people to pretend that their lives are perfect! Seriously, if someone has a problem then you must either put them out of your church OR tell them to act as if they are perfect. If people begin to bring their junk to your church and Jesus begins to help them work through it and they get delivered from it…your church cannot maintain its boring status.
#8 – You MUST focus on the external and NOT the internal. Make the way people dress the MOST important issue…and the way they LIVE a non-issue!!!
What If The Pharisees Had Twittered? January 12, 2010
Disclaimer…some of these phrases MAY be over 140 characters, work with me! :-)
- “Heard this guy named Jesus teach today, not very impressed. All He did was tell stories, didn’t really go in depth like the guys do at the tabernacle.”
- “That Jesus guy healed a dude on the Sabbath right in front of everyone, which was so disrespectful. Sure, it was nice that the person got healed, I just don’t agree with the way He went about it.”
- “BIG DEAL! So this Jesus guy fed over 5,000 men with five loaves and two pieces of fish. Seems to me like He is just into trying to do entertaining things to get people’s attention rather than teaching them anything of substance.”
- “The people that seem to be following Jesus and taking on some responsibilities for Him have not been to seminary…this is not acceptable!”
- “This Jesus guy keeps talking TO and ABOUT ‘lost people.’ I think His singular focus is going to be destructive to His ministry.”
- “This Jesus guy won’t answer any of our questions. I think He is arrogant to not listen to us…doesn’t He understand who we are?”
- “Jesus didn’t wash His hands before He ate a meal with me last night, I did, therefore I am so much cleaner than Him!”
- “Jesus called me a snake/viper today, I am not quite sure that was appropriate language and I think that kind of talk is going to damage His reputation.”
- “Jesus always calls me and my friends out for His perceived problems with us…and quite often isn’t very ‘loving’ in the way He does it. I think He has temper issues and should stop being so reactive.”
- “Jesus keeps hanging out with the wrong people…doesn’t He know that the people who are closest to Him don’t have their act together?”
- “Jesus lost His temper today and threw things and people out of the temple. His irreverence for the things that matter to me is quite disturbing.”
- “This guy Jesus waters down His teachings, the way He is presenting things ANYONE can be forgiven!”