Archive for June, 2011

Four Things I Want From Those Who Serve With Me June 8, 2011

#1 – Don’t let me be surprised.

If something goes wrong, if a mistake has been made or if we have dropped the ball then the last thing I want to do is find out about what has happened “through the grapevine.”  And…I don’t want half of the story either.  (Many times just half of the story is told in order to “protect” the leader…when actually quite the opposite is true.  “Protection” is knowing all of the facts…ALL of them.)

Tell me the truth…always.

(AND…leaders, it is up to you to create this type of environment.  If you have a nasty habit of “shooting the messenger” then it is quite likely that you do not know the whole story in regards to what is happening in your organization.)

#2 – Don’t let me be the emperor that has no clothes!

I don’t know if you have read “The Emperor’s New Clothes” lately…it is a really funny children’s story that, unfortunately, isn’t so funny when it is played out in church world.

Once again…I need the truth from the people around me.  I do not view those who God has placed around me as a liability but rather an asset…and I can honestly say that I have had numerous bad ideas as a leader over the past several years that have not made their way towards implementation because there are men and women around me who are willing to say, “Dude, we love you…but…that’s a bad idea.”

Leaders…it takes a secure person to be able to create this type of environment.  You can either do this and reap the benefits…or you can surround yourself with “yes men” who refuse to tell you the truth because they fear you more than they fear the Lord.

#3 – Keep short accounts with me

We are a team…God has called us to serve Jesus together and the enemy would actually love to divide our leadership team way more than he wants to divide our church.  (Because…he knows if he can divide us…the church will follow!)

As a team we will have spirited debate.  We will disagree on decisions that have been made and/or how things should be done in the future.  When this happens let’s be respectful, honest and refuse to allow a root of bitterness to develop among us.   Life is too short and hell is too hot for us to allow anger and frustration with one another to continue to fester.

#4 – Be willing to put your personal preferences aside for the greater good of God’s church.

When people’s main filter of making decision is ran through their personal preferences the entire organization will always gravitate towards comfort and conformity because doing so is always easy…and as human beings we have to be aware of this natural tendency to drift in this direction.

Jesus didn’t call us to take up our mattress…He commanded us to take up our cross.  This is hard…and many times it will mean putting our personal preferences aside in order to see God’s precepts carried out.  We always have to be serious about putting pride aside and embracing whatever it is the Lord wants for us.

There has never been a church on the planet that has made a significant difference because the leaders were obsessed with always having their own way (this includes the senior pastor!)  Let’s continue to beg God to conform and transform us so that we can do all HE has in mind for us to do…even when it places us in a perpetual state of discomfort.

Tagged: Discipleship, Leadership, Staff Issues

A Letter From Pastor P To NewSpring Church June 7, 2011

Howdy NewSpring Church…FIVE things I wanted to share with you today…

#1 – I absolutely LOVED Sunday…anytime I get to talk about the faithfulness of God in regards to what He has done for our church and get to share the vision behind what I want for the people who belong here it absolutely FIRES me up!

#2 – As I said on Sunday…the Israel trip details will be available soon.  What I can tell you is that the dates have tentatively been set for April 23 – May 1, 2012 and the price is going to be in the range of $3,000 (which includes airfare, meals, hotels and transportation!)  I CAN’T WAIT!!!

#3 – I’m REALLY excited about the series we’re going to kick off the Fall with beginning on August 7th…we’re literally going to be spending eight weeks in the book of Revelation!  AND…I can promise you when we are done you will absolutely have NO IDEA WHEN Jesus is going to come back!!!  (See Matthew 24:36…especially those who thought that He was coming back on May 21!)  :-)

#4 – Fact:  I am taking Lucretia & Charisse to a Taylor Swift/NeedtoBreathe concert next month.  Confession:  I am excited about it!  DON’T JUDGE ME!

#5 – I LOVE MY CHURCH…and I love what Jesus has called me to do.  Like I said…in the series we are currently in we are answering the most frequently asked questions about our church (I listed them in last weeks letter…you can read it here if you missed it.)  This past Sunday I began answering the how/why NewSpring Church got started question…and in the answering of this question I really felt led to share the 10 things I want for everyone who becomes an owner (member) at NewSpring Church.  I shared four on Sunday…I will share the final six this coming Sunday.  The four I shared this week are…

I LOVE MY CHURCH!

Tagged: Church Issues, Dear NewSpring

10 Questions Staff Members Should Be Asking June 2, 2011

#1 – Do I trust the leadership of this church?  (If the answer is “no” then there are going to be problems because you will be unable to fulfill what God commands in Hebrews 13:17.)

#2 – Do I find myself attacking other people whom I perceive may be more skilled than me?  (If so then you have insecurity issues!)

#3 – Is there anything happening privately in my life that, if it became public, would disqualify me from ministry?  (”Your life” is NOT “your life!”)

#4 – Do I value my calling to serve Jesus and His church over my perceived gifting?  (If the answer is yes then you will do anything at any time to move His church forward.  If the answer is “no” then you will develop a deep sense of entitlement that will cause you to believe that the church should completely be sensitive to your wants and needs above the call to preach the Gospel and reach the world for Christ!)

#5 – Would I attend this church if I were not on staff?  (If the answer is no then you need to do yourself, the church and God a favor and resign right now!  You cannot serve a church that you do not love–period!)

#6 – Do I always have to be the expert OR am I willing to have others step into my particular area of ministry and point out my blindspots and shortcomings?

#7 – Am I always telling others how tired I am?  (If so…SHUT UP!  You are IN THE MINISTRY!  It’s HARD!  Make sure you are taking a day off to rest and relax and then GET ON WITH IT!)

#8 – Do I get angry when I do not receive the recognition and praise that I deserve?  (If so…repeat this phrase, “It’s not about me!”)

#9 – Am I honestly giving my best effort?  (See II Timothy 2:15!)

#10 – Would the people who are closest to me at work say that I am a walking example of Philippians 1:27?

Tagged: Leadership, Staff Issues

An Open Letter To Leaders… June 1, 2011

Dear Leader,

Leadership matters!  It is listed in the Scripture as a spiritual gift (Romans 12:8), there are books in the Bible dedicated to what happens when God empowered leadership is embraced (Ezra, Nehemiah, Judges, Esther) and God has called you and raised you up for the purpose of making a difference.

You are going to have to make hard decisions…ones that will cause you to be unpopular and misunderstood.  Remember, the Bible says that fear of man is a snare that leads to a place you do not desire to be (see Proverbs 29:25)…and also remember that if it is your goal to be popular, understood and loved by everyone then it is impossible to do so and be a fully devoted follower of Jesus (see Galatians 1:10).  MANY people see the problems…very few people actually possess the courage to do something about it…and that is what God has called, equipped and empowered you to do what you do.

God has not called you to do this alone.  One of the most amazing things about leadership is that the Lord WILL surround you with men and women to come along side to serve with you and help you do all that God has placed in your heart.  LISTEN to other people (See Proverbs 15:22) and understand that being the leader DOES NOT mean that you are the smartest person in the room!  (When you believe that…it’s over, the smart people will leave and eventually, over time, you will be the smartest person in the room in a room full of morons!)  ASK FOR HELP OFTEN…it doesn’t mean you’re weak, it actually communicates to those you lead that you are strong!

You are going to get hurt…all great leaders do.  People you thought loved and cared about you will turn on you, attack you and make false accusations against you.  This will cause tremendous amounts of insecurity, pain and frustration; however, don’t allow one person who goes Judas on you  cause you to believe that everyone you have around you will eventually betray you.  I’ve seen so many leaders isolate themselves because of things like this happening and it just isn’t necessary.  The only reason that you believe leadership is lonely is because you have most likely chosen to isolate yourself.

Your character can never be compromised–EVER!

Don’t feel the need to waste time responding to every critic.  Life is too short and hell is too hot for you to come down off the wall and have a conversation with people who have a history of attacking others and who make ridiculous accusations against you but have never even taken the time to try to get to know you!  (See Nehemiah 6:1-4.)  AND…STOP obsessing over what “they” say about you…and my friend Craig Groeschel says, “Becoming obsessed with what people think about me is the quickest way to forget what God thinks about me.”

Pay the price to grow and develop as a leader (see Proverbs 4:7!)  Don’t always expect everyone to hand you something for free.  Conferences cost money!  Books cost money!  Quit complaining about the cost!  Great leaders never whine!

And remember, He who has called you is with you…He will never leave you…He will finish what He began (Philippians 1:6)…you should NOT give up (Galatians 6:9)…and He has called you to fear no one or no thing but HIM (II Timothy 1:7!)

Tagged: Discipleship, Leadership