Archive for Leadership
Changes A Growing Ministry Have Brought About In Me – Part Three September 2, 2010
Last post on this subject…
#6 – I Have Become More Appreciative And Thankful For Lucretia and Charisse (my wife and daughter.)
The pastors wife is hands down THE most under-appreciated role in the church. There are not many people on the planet that can identify with them and the ups and downs that they experience.
Lucretia has been right by my side since we planted NewSpring. She has been my encourager, my confidant and has even rebuked me on an occasion or two!
She’s seen me at my best…and she’s seen me at my worse…and she STILL loves me and wants to spend the rest of her life with me!
The larger this ministry has gotten the more I have appreciated her and want to be around her and Charisse. (Pastors…when you want to be around your ministry more than you do your bride then you MINISTRY has become your MISTRESS…and that is DANGEROUS ground!)
I had a friend in the ministry give me this warning once when it comes to the crowds, “Be careful Perry, because those that deify WILL crucify…the same crowd that shouted ‘Hosanna’ at the beginning of the week shouted ‘crucify Him’ before the week was over!”
Pastors…here’s a question for you…IF the church you are serving (for some reason) turned their back on you…would you have a wife and kids who would help you through that process…or have they had to suffer through your absence and neglect for so long that you being at home more would be more of an nuisance and not a blessing?
That is why I have a date night with my wife every week…and I DO NOT carry my cell phone. (If you tweet/facebook while on a date with your wife you officially suck! Stop it! Repent! Give her the attention that you give your phone and it will blow your mind how much better your relationship gets.)
That is why I have a date morning with Charisse at least once a week!
That is why I have dinner with my family nearly EVERY night! THEY are my priority!
The larger the church has gotten the more time I try to spend with Lucretia and Charisse. Because…if I grow a large ministry but have a family that hates me…I fail!
#7 – I Have Become More Aware Of What God Wants To Do In The Church Long Term.
Matthew 16:18 is true…He IS building HIS church! The book of Acts wasn’t given to us as a place we should aspire to get back to…but rather it was the FOUNDATION of what God wanted to accomplish through His church…and our focus should not be getting back there but actually accomplishing the GREATER THINGS that Jesus spoke of in John 14:12!
God’s church is STILL God’s plan! He still wants to impact the world through HIS local church! If Jesus doesn’t come back for another 1,000 years then you can bet your last Bible that HIS church will still be here while every other organization that we know on this planet will have ceased to exist.
God wants to reach the world…and the church was HIS plan to do it. I’m seeing more and more church leaders begin to understand this and REFUSE to be normal. I am seeing church leaders step up and take huge steps of faith…unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. I am seeing church leaders cast aside personal preferences and embrace what God is doing that is outside of their particular comfort zone. I am seeing church leaders care WAY more about what God thinks that what the biggest givers in the church think.
AND…God is doing what He said He would do…BUILDING HIS CHURCH!
God has GREATER THINGS in store for HIS church…I literally believe that we are quite possibly on the brink of another Great Awakening here in America…and I believe that if we will continue to seek HIM and HIS ways of doing church that the NEXT generation will see things that no generation has ever seen!!!
Changes A Growing Ministry Have Brought About In Me – Part Two September 1, 2010
Continuing from yesterday’s post…
#4 – I Have Become More Dependent On The People Whom God Has Surrounded Me With.
When we first began NewSpring Church I had the mentality that “if I want something to be done right then I must do it myself.” It took me years to discover (the hard way) that that thought was driven by insecurity, pride and a desire to control everything.
I used to know everything about every ministry that was happening here at NewSpring Church…and today I find myself saying when asked about a particular ministry, “I don’t know.” Why? Because I have really gifted men and women around me who have embraced God’s call on their life and are passionate about their area of ministry and making a difference…and they can do a MUCH better job handling the day to day issues associated with that ministry than I can.
Basically…I hire the right people and get out of their way.
However, let me be VERY clear before moving on from here. I am very quick to delegate responsibility and authority…but I never, I mean EVER delegate vision. Doing so will lead to a church that is very busy with activity but actually not accomplishing anything significant. AND…if there are ever times when I really feel the Lord press into me about a particular ministry…I listen to His voice and begin to ask the right people the right questions in order to obtain clarity as to the direction that particular ministry is taken.
#5 – I Have Become More Dependent Upon His Holy Spirit.
One of the most common phrases I keep seeing in the book of Acts has to do with the leadership being “filled with the Spirit,” which is something that I am continually begging God for on a daily basis.
The power that is available to followers of Jesus through His Holy Spirit is unlimited! And I am beginning to discover that the more I rely on His Spirit the less I worry about my inadequacies and inabilities.
I remember getting ready to go out and speak and confessing to some ladies in my office that I was very nervous about the upcoming message that I was about to give…and one of them looked at me and say in a very respectful but direct way, “Perry, when are you going to stop relying on your abilities and learn to depend on the anointing that God has given you?”
BAM!
I can’t say I have mastered the art of not worrying before a message…but I can say the more I depend on Him the better I feel about doing what He’s called me to do.
Changes A Growing Ministry Has Brought About In Me – Part One August 31, 2010
Change is inevitable…it is going to take place…and we can either embrace it or fight it.
One of the questions I often get in leadership circles are in regards to what kind of changes have taken place in me personally since the ministry of NewSpring Church has grown. I reflected on this for quite a while and came up with eight…
#1 – I Have Become More Aware Of The Cross & The Grace That Was Poured Out On Me.
Every single time I preach the Gospel I am filled with passion because I can’t quit thinking about what Jesus has done for me! Every time I see someone respond to the Gospel I get so fired up because of the internal change that happens inside of them the moment they meet Christ…and I am reminded that the change they are going through is THE SAME thing that happened to me.
I’ve NEVER gotten over the cross and how Christ changed me when I called out to Him. Even when I see people who have walked down the path of horrendous sin I remind myself that if it were not for HIS grace poured out on me…I would be the very person that I am tempted to despise! (This is why many churches are legalistic and feel like they are morally superior to those outside the walls…they don’t understand the cross!)
#2 – I Have Become More Aware Of His Power And Ability
I made a 790 on my S.A.T. I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I dropped out of seminary. I do not have any sort of religious pedigree. I still wrestle with sin on a daily basis. AND…as I look back on what has happened at NewSpring Church over the past 10 years I know that I cannot personally take any credit for this. We are seeing Zechariah 4:6 come to life right in front of our eyes. AND…the more we grow and the more our influence increases the more desperate I am for HIM to work through me. Left on my own I am screwed…He’s not just a good idea…HE’S ESSENTIAL and I need Him more today than I have ever needed Him before.
#3 – I Have Become More Desperate For His Revelation & Direction Through The Scriptures.
Of all the books on “How to do church” there is none better than the Bible. (I would say the same for “How to do life” as well.)
However, I must say that one of the dangers in reading the Bible is doing so just to see what God wants rather than really diving into WHO He is! We will never discover what He wants until we see who He is…because doing so fills us with a faith that will attempt the “impossible.” The reason so many people back down from God’s obvious calling on their lives is because they fail to see what the Scriptures so clearly portray about Him.
AND…in regards to how to do church…I am realizing more and more that correct theology MUST drive my methodology…and consistant time in the Word is the BEST thing I can do as a leader so that I can be shaped and transformed…then and only then can I lead others through that.
Five Reasons Why People Quit The Ministry August 19, 2010
#1 – Burnout
I once heard someone say, “I would rather burn out than rust out.” Uh…BOTH are bad because NEITHER of them finish well. Too many people in the ministry work themselves into a frenzy, never take time to disconnect and refresh and do absolutely nothing for fun…this always goes bad!
When it comes to leadership circles in America we’ve equated being busy with being godly; however, the haunting reality that confronts that idea is what God Himself said in Psalm 46:10, “BE STILL and know that I am God”…not “be busy!”
If we are not taking regular breaks, doing things “just for fun” and disconnecting then burnout isn’t a matter of “if,” but “when!”
#2 – Unrealistic Expectations
Too many people believe that ministry = easy…despite the fact that it seemed to go really bad for everyone in the Scriptures that sold their life out to Him! Jesus went to the “place of the skull” to be crucified…why would we ever believe He would lead us to “the place of the mattress?”
When we impose our plans and ideas on God and refuse to surrender to His…and then things don’t go as planned…it usually leads to people “giving up” because “God just didn’t come through.”
#3 – Criticism
Criticism hurts…it always will…and if it ever doesn’t then, according to my counselor, something is dead inside of you. AND…it is always personal (especially when someone begins with, “don’t take this personally…but…).
You can’t let the critics dicate what you think/feel! If you have a ministry that constantly responds to critics then you will not have one that responds to Jesus. You MUST respond to the people who God has placed in your life to surround you and protect you–that’s not criticism but rather correction. However, you cannot allow those who know you the least to control you the most–period!
#4 – Discouragement
Every church leader I’ve ever chatted with has done some serious battles with discouragement. After your message on Sunday the enemy comes in and begins to accuse you, telling you that you did a pathetic job and that no one is going to come back next week. Heck, I’ve had to battle discouragement during the message before, hearing voices inside of my head saying things like, “you suck, these people hate you…you need to quite the ministry…” and so on.
This is why it is essential for leaders to get in a place like David did in I Samuel 30:1-6…he faced an incredibly discouraging situation and yet someone managed to find His strength in the Lord. I do this through reading through encouraging letters and emails that I’ve received in the past, placing myself in encouraging environments and focusing on what God’s Word says about me.
#5 – Losing Focus On God’s Power
When we actually believe it is up to us to make people come back to church every week rather than believing we are conduits that God wants to work through to do that very thing…it’s over! Because…we fall into the trap of trying to outdo ourselves every week, every series and every year…and prayer/seeking the Lord becomes something we love to talk about but fail to do. He saves…He draws people…and He uses us to do it. It’s not up to us…but rather allowing Him to work through us to accomplish all that He wants to do!
Face it…on our own we don’t have enough power to blow our nose! We NEED Him…HE is the game changer!!!
Never Follow A Leader Who… August 17, 2010
#1 – Never follow a leader who seeks to build their platform through constantly tearing down the platform of others.
#2 – Never follow a leader who constantly makes excuses as to why they compromise their character…and refuse to confess and repent of obvious sin.
#3 – Never follow a leader that constantly talks about how gifted they are but refuses to serve in areas that requires them to get their hands dirty.
#4 – Never follow a leader that refuses to declare the entire counsel of Scripture because doing so might cause people to feel uncomfortable.
#5 – Never follow a leader who always has to make every decision…he/she has a control problem and you really don’t want to be around when God reveals to them how “out of control” they really are.
#6 – Never follow a leader who isn’t willing to admit their mistakes…but are always quick to point out yours.
#7 – Never follow a leader who is always quick to throw you under the bus and never has your back when you mess up.
10 Characteristics of Growing Churches August 12, 2010
#1 – They have leaders that lead!
“For God so loved the world that He did not send a committee!” Not sure where I heard that…but its true!
#2 – A desperation for God’s power!
Prayer isn’t a good luck charm that is attached at the beginning or at the end of something…people are legitimately desperate for the power of God. They pray Habakkuk 3:2 prayers every day and…
#3 – They believe that greater things are in store.
They don’t just pray big prayers…but they have a sense of anticipation that is contagious! They don’t read Acts 2 and think “those were the good ‘ole days” but rather they think, “that’s where God STARTED this thing…we should be WAY ahead of this!!!”
#4 – They are full of ordinary people.
God always uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Jesus didn’t choose one scribe or Pharisee when He launched the church…and Acts 4:13 talks about how He used ordinary people to absolutely turn the world upside down. The staff LOVE the church…so much so that they would actually attend there even if they were not on staff!
#5 – They leverage technology.
They don’t view technology as of the devil but rather as a tool given by God to reach as many people as possible for Jesus. (Btw…isn’t it funny that some churches are against the use of technology yet all of them rode to their church in a car and their church building has air conditioner?)
#6 – The church is full of passion.
People in the church actually LOVE the church and do not attend because they feel like they have to! (The only reason people get angry with the fact that you love your church is probably because they have no idea what it is like to actually love their church!)
#7 – They take ownership of the great commission.
They REFUSE to be “keepers of the aquarium” and instead embrace the COMMAND of Jesus to reach the world for HIM! (BTW NewSpring Church…it has been SO encouraging to see so many of you come to our evangelism seminar this week! We have one more live one tonight at our Anderson campus – you can sign up here – and, if you cannot join us live for some reason this event will be available online just like our Sunday services…so you can join us tonight at www.newspring.cc from 7-9, can’t wait!)
#8 – There is a willingness to change and adapt, even when it means they have to go against the very “innovative” ideas that they themselves once established!
Anyone can change the traditions of the past…but true innovation occurs when we’re willing to change the ideas that we once thought were innovative and ground breaking!
#9 – Generosity is embraced.
The world has never been impacted in a positive way by people that were greedy.
#10 – The people in the church are OWNERS, not merely “members.”
Members have rights, owners have responsibilities. The people in these churches understand that it is not the pastors job to minister to the people but rather the bodies job to minister to the body! And as a result people serve Jesus by serving others instead of sitting on their “blessed assurance” and expecting to be waited on hand and foot.
A Few Thoughts That I’ve Been Thinking Lately… August 11, 2010
Sometimes there are things that I read, hear or think that keep coming back to me over and over…here are a few that I just can’t seem to shake…
#1 – “In the Bible God calls those who will not work lazy, but He calls those who will not rest disobedient.” (See Isaiah 30:15) John Walker
EVERY leader needs to wrestle with that one!!! When we get tired we give up on God and begin to think the world is completely falling apart…remember Elijah, he faced down hundreds of false prophets and then ran from a woman who was mad at him! (See I Kings 17-19)
#2 – “In order to reach the people no one else is reaching we must be willing to do the things that no one else is doing.” Craig Groeschel
Leaders…IF you do this you WILL be controversial because people usually have a problem when the status quo is upset, especially in the context of church! I am seriously wrestling with the question and asking myself, “what else is it that we need to be doing to reach people who are far from God?” And please understand…I am NOT asking, “what activities do we need to add to our agenda to try and reach more churched people who are desperate for more Christian activities so that we can provide them with opportunities to isolate themselves from the very people Jesus commanded us to reach.” There is a huge difference!
In order to go where God wants us to go…we must be willing to embrace both the unknown and the uncomfortable!
#3 – “Of course criticism hurts, its supposed to! If you ever get to the point where it doesn’t bother you anymore then something is dead inside of you.” John Walker.
One of the dumbest things you can say to someone is “don’t let that criticism hurt you.” That would be equal to kicking a man in the nuts over and over again and then getting perplexed as to why he is on the ground screaming in pain. Telling him to “not take it personally” isn’t going to help!
#4 – “Becoming obsessed with what others think about me is the quickest way to forget what God thinks about me.” Craig Groeschel.
Craig’s words remind me of Galatians 1:10!
I can either allow what others say to define me (positive or negative)…or I can allow God’s Word to define me!
#5 – “We must dream, because we are made in the image of Him who sees things that are not and wills them to be.” DL Moody
I think God is bothered and disturbed NOT because we ask too much of Him…but because we ask too little! Church leaders should have bigger dreams and plans that ANYONE ON THE PLANET!!! How dare we allow Apple, Disney and Facebook to have a bigger vision than us…we are HIS CHURCH!!! It’s sort of like what CS Lewis said…
“Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased!”