Archive for June, 2010
Eleven People We Need To Beware Of – Part One June 15, 2010
#1 – The Butt Kisser – this is the person that will allow “the emperor to have no clothes.” They think EVERYTHING you say is a “great idea boss” and NEVER push back. (This person will kiss your butt until they have the opportunity to do it for someone who they feel is more important than you…then they will take their lips elsewhere!)
#2 – The Philosophical Expert – this is the person who has an “innovative philosophy” that will change the game…but has been unwilling to attempt it. Rather than actually do what they propose they usually write a book about it and challenge others to do it. (Such as…the dude who writes a book on how to plant a church but has never actually planted a church!)
#3 – The “Devil’s Advocate” – I’ve said it before, I will say it again…the devil doesn’t need a freakin’ advocate…and no one on your team should feel the need to work for him! If there is someone that ALWAYS finds a dark cloud on every bright day…beware. Becoming preoccupied with the pessimist will always drain your passion!
#4 – The Over Promiser – There are really great people in this world who just can’t say no…so they will over promise, not because they are evil but because they often feel guilty when they say no. If you see someone promising everyone they will do everything then I can promise that the quality of that work will probably amount to nothing…OR…they will do a great job and burn out in ministry.
#5 – The “People’s Advocate” – When the person approaches you and says, “Hey man, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING…” BEWARE! Because…in reality a lot of people are probably NOT saying anything…he and two or three of his friends are saying! If a person isn’t willing to give names they should simply be ignored.
Three Books I Would Highly Recommend… June 14, 2010
I’ve been a reading ninja lately…books don’t stand a chance around me…here are three that I have torn through and I would highly recommend…
#1 – The Orange Code – This book fired me up, challenged me AND made me mad at the same time. Because…if THESE people can get THIS fired up and focused about starting a company that helps people save money then what in the world could God’s Church do if we became laser focused in our mission to reach people far from God! We have a MUCH better “product!!!” Seriously…this is a GREAT read!
#2 – Overcoming The Dark Side of Leadership – EVERY SINGLE LEADER ON THE PLANET should read this book! WOW! I seriously cannot recommend it highly enough. Now…before you order it let me promise you it will be one of the most eye opening, throat punching books you’ve EVER read…but reading it COULD save your ministry! Yes…it’s THAT GOOD!
#3 – Stuff Christians Like - I know, I know…I talked about it last night, but I wanted to throw it out there again. (NO…Jon Acuff didn’t pay me to endorse his book; in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever even met him!) This book seriously made me laugh out loud…often!!! (And we ALL know that Christians need to laugh more!)
Sunday Night Reflections… June 13, 2010
A few thoughts about a GREAT day today…
- Lucretia and I had an awesome time worshipping at Northstar Church today…I love getting to see Marty Martin every year and hear about all Jesus is doing down here. (They baptized around 50 people yesterday at a water park…that’s AWESOME!)
- So proud of Brad and the job he did today bringing the Word!
- And…I tried…I really did…but I just can’t get into “The World Cup!” I know it’s exciting and all…but give me college football on a Saturday afternoon ANY DAY and I’ll take it!
- It’s been nice to be able to catch my breath for a few weeks…can’t WAIT to get back and preach next Sunday…Father’s Day is going to be awesome!!!
- There is no oil so far in Panama City…and I’ve got my toes in the water and my…toes in the sand! :-)
- I turn 39 in a few weeks…wow…39…my last year in my 30’s! Don’t quite know what to think about that!
- Every pastor/church leader needs a vacation, and going to a conference and/or attending a denominational meeting does not count!
- Some of my BEST IDEAS come to me while I am on vacation!
- I’ve been reading Jon Acuff’s book, “Stuff Christians Like.” WOW…seriously…one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. People are looking at me like I’m crazy while I’m sitting at the pool and laughing out loud…I literally cannot put it down! You should seriously get this book…Jon does an AMAZING job of shedding light on some of the crazy things we do!
- The Wal Mart in Panama City is hands down the most interesting place on the planet!! I cannot write about half of the things I saw and heard there–WOW!
That’s about it…going to completely enjoy this week with my girls. Can’t wait to see you next week NewSpring Church…it’s going to be the BEST FATHER’S DAY we’ve EVER HAD in the HISTORY of our church!
Some People Will Walk Away…And It’s NOT YOUR FAULT! June 10, 2010
I don’t like this thought…it haunts me and I wish I could do something about it…but the more I reflect on this I believe it is a reality.
No matter how hard I pray, no matter how much I study, no matter how passionately I teach, no matter how many systems we put into place and no matter how hard I cry…there will always be people who choose to ignore God’s truth and walk away.
AND…that’s not necessarily always my fault. (Or yours!)
Don’t get me wrong…I am always looking for ways to improve what we do around here. I always want to give God my absolute best. I want to see as many people meet Jesus and follow Him for the rest of their lives as possible.
BUT…for me (or you) to think that just become some refuse to follow Christ…or some follow Him for a while and walk away is always OUR FAULT is from the enemy.
Jesus taught in the parable of the sower that some people won’t even hear the Word…they will come to church, say something like, “maybe one day,” or even “that crap doesn’t work” and leave.
Jesus also taught that some people would receive the Word, spring up quickly…but then fade away because they had no root. (This is the person that receives Christ, shows up at everything the church does for the next six months and then disappears and becomes impossible to contact.)
Jesus then taught that some people would receive the Word…but then allow the worries of life to choke it out of them. They become more obsessed with money than with Jesus.
Then He taught that SOME seed falls onto good ground and produces a crop. (AND…not every seed produces the same level of harvest…different subject for a different time.)
What I am trying to say to church leaders is this…Jesus didn’t promise ANYONE a 100% success rate. And for us to ALWAYS take people leaving and/or falling away as something that we did wrong will eventually lead to fear, depression and an unwillingness to take steps of faith that might make others uncomfortable.
We should NOT use the fact that Jesus said some will fall away as an excuse to be lazy…but neither should we allow it to make us feel guilty when we know in our hearts that we’re doing exactly what Jesus has called us to do.
Our temptation will always be to internalize and personalize every perceived failure in this area…and we just can’t let ourselves go there. (Pastor Steven, once again, had some great insight on this here!)
Hope that encouraged someone today.
Four Fights You Should Not Fight June 9, 2010
#1 – The fight to keep people happy. First of all…that is not a leaders job…and if it is then Jesus really stunk at that. Number two…no matter what you do someone is always going to be upset. SO…please HIM, not “them!”
#2 – The fight to have all of the answers. Reality is that you don’t know everything, that is why God placed a team around you! Refusing to admit that you don’t know something isn’t showing your weakness…but rather revealing your pride. Sometimes one of the godliest things we can do is admit we are stumped to the people we serve with and ask for their help in figuring out the solution to the problem! (See Proverbs 15:22, Proverbs 24:6)
#3 – The fight to be “well balanced.” Here’s the bottom line on this…there are many things I do not do well…and for me to try to focus my time and energy on those things and neglect the gifts God has given is would be a divine slap in the face to my Creator. (Pastor Steven wrote about that here…EXCELLENT read!)
#4 – The fight to have complete assurance that something will work. You and I will NEVER know the outcome until we are willing to take the step of faith that God has led us to take. If you wait to have 100% assurance that something will work…then I am 100% sure you will never attempt anything great for God. For example…nowhere in the Scriptures does it say that God gave David 100% assurance that he was going to be successful in his bout with Goliath…he just simply took a step of faith and the rest is history. What step of faith is He leading you to? (Hebrews 11:6)
Seven Reasons Why I LOVE Our Worship Leaders! June 8, 2010
(This post is dedicated to Lee, Rose, Justin, Tom, Sam and Steven)
#1 – The Church Is Not “Their Gig,” – it’s THEIR CHURCH! They love NewSpring Church…they pray for it, work on it, support it financially and do not want to use it to boost their CD sales. They don’t run to it when they can’t find a “better opportunity,” they are here serving each and every week. They love the people in this church and have a heart to reach the community in which they are in!
#2 – They Have A Servants Heart – Our worship leaders do WAY more than sing on Sunday’s. In fact, they would be willing to do ANYTHING to advance the ball down the field. I am not kidding when I tell you that I could call any of them right now and tell them we are scrubbing toilets this afternoon and they would do it.
If a worship leaders thinks “their job” is to just sing then you don’t have a worship leader…you have an arrogant performer who wants people to worship them rather than leading them to worship Jesus. Worship is WAY more than singing…it’s serving Jesus by doing whatever it takes to make His Name known!
#3 – They KNOW the Scriptures – Our worship leaders know God’s Word…they read it, memorize it…CRAVE IT…and it shows as it FLOWS out of them in natural conversation and in their leadership on Sundays.
#4 – They Are Always Striving To Improve – I love that none of them are ever satisfied with the way things are…they are always striving to improve as vocalists and musicians…none of them believe they have “arrived” vocally/musically!
#5 – They Are Not Afraid To Try Something Different – I have gone to them a few times and asked them to attempt a song that isn’t quite their style…and they always says “yes!” They are not afraid of hard work…and if something isn’t familiar to them they will bust their rear ends to make sure that they absolutely kill it when it comes time to make it happen.
#6 – They Call Each Other Out – They love each other enough to tell each other when a vocal or musical part just isn’t right. AND…they also challenge and call each other out OFF of the stage. (Which is essential for a great worship team…if they are only concerned about one another ON stage and not OFF the stage then their obsession is the performance…not the person.)
#7 – They Write Awesome Music – Yes, we do other people’s music…I think it is both arrogant and stupid to not do a song that has a great message; however, our worship leaders also write their own stuff…which is SO pleasing to me because hearing their lyrics gives me a front row seat to what Jesus is doing in their hearts.
Two Quick Leadership Thoughts… June 7, 2010
#1 – Email/Texting DOES NOT WORK If You Want To Communicate Something Important!
It is incredibly easy to be misunderstood when communicating through technology…that is why if I have something REALLY important to communicate to the people I serve with I take a walk down the hall and meet with them face to face…and the few times that I have violated this concept it has bitten me in the butt big time. (OUCH!)
(Texting wars are incredibly immature!)
BTW…some people communicate through email/texting because they FEAR a face to face communication OR because they are lazy! BUT…a leader is WILLING to have a tough and/or uncomfortable conversation when it is necessary. ”I sent an email” does not mean we did our job in regards to leadership/communication of something important; in fact, it could mean the opposite!
Don’t hide behind technology. It can be used to information…but if there is a certain emotion associated with that information then we owe it to the people we work with to speak face to face.
#2 – Saying “They Don’t Get It” Isn’t An Indictment Against “Them,” But Rather One Against Us!
Leadership means that we take ownership…and so when we say that statement (“they just don’t get it”) reality is that it’s probably MY fault…not theirs.
The pastor or church leader that is always complaining that his people “just don’t get it” isn’t really bashing his people but rather exposing a weakness in his leadership.
If “they” do not get it then reality is I am probably not saying it clearly enough or often enough.
We cannot assume that our staff, volunteers and church members will fully grasp in five minutes what it may have taken us five months to develop.
Stop blaming people for not “getting it,” if they don’t “get it” then keep leading them to “it!”