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Leadership Summit 2009 Prayer

Later this week on August 6 & 7 Journey Community Church will be hosting the Leadership Summit.  (This will be our 6th year to host the event.)

The Leadership Summit serves as a catalyst for Journey's leadership development and has played a shaping role in our church’s history.  Many promptings and key initiatives have birth out of what has been experienced during this leadership-training event.

On the grander scale churches in our immediate community, across the nation and later internationally will be impacted by this event.  Well over 100,000 leaders and church team members will experience this life-changing event.

So whether you are attending or not (walk-in registration will be accepted) your prayers leading up to the event is greatly appreciated.  And if anyone is doubting the impact of this event on an individual's life -- click here for Kristen Chandler's story.

PLEASE PRAY:

• For each of the 400 plus attendees here at the San Diego summit site (that Journey is hosting) to come ready to learn and to hear from God.
• As a host-site our team of volunteers will give their utmost for His highest and provide excellent and “raving fan” level service to our guests.
• There would be an anointing on each speaker and presenter click here for complete list of speakers.
  
• Technically that there will be no complications – that satellite, web & interpreting service will run smoothly.
• Preparations over the next few days to be trouble free.
• The Big “C” Church will be strengthened.
• That Journey Community Church will be changed with fresh ideas and bold initiatives.
• For the San Diego summit site leadership team, with Alex Layson running point, to lead with all diligence.
• For walk-in registration to be high at all sites.
• For leaders to really act upon promptings quickly and not let the conference notebook sit on their shelves or get lost under a pile.
• That the event would spur on – on-going leadership development in local churches.
• For Journey, weekend service preparations to get done so team members are able to fully engage in the conference experience.
  

Learning from Darlene Zschech at Toward Wonder

Yesterday I attended an incredible workshop lead and taught by Darlene Zschech at the Willow Creek Community Church Arts Conference "Toward Wonder."    The richness of my learning experience cannot be fully expressed in this post.  However, I can share with you some unedited notes from the session. 

Learnings from a Leaders Gathering

Yesterday I attended a Leaders Gathering in Costa Mesa at The Crossing Church.  The purpose of the gathering  was to help encourage leaders and at the same time promote The Leadership Summit in the area as the The Crossing serves as the host site for Orange County.  The featured speaker was Dave Gibbons pastor of New Song Church in Irvine and is also one of the speakers at the Leadership Summit.

The content of his message included the sharing of his spiritual journey; sharing principles from his current book The Monkey and the Fish and a book he is currently working on; in addition to giving us a preview of what his talk will be about at the Leadership Summit.  I am really looking forward to learning from Dave later this year.

For that day here a couple of additional thoughts that he shared that has got me thinking ...

• Referencing Leighton Ford:  "We need to learn to walk slowly in crowds."  We never know who is in our crowds we may miss a future potential leader.
• Maybe creating boundaries for ourselves have gone to far ... where we have become gated in, disconnected and isolated from those whom God desires for us to reach and those who could have an impact in our lives.
• The congregation of our churches are asking: "Do you see me?"  "Do you know my story?"
• We have pimped out the Second commandment to define our neighbor as someone like me -- when the Parable of the Good Samaritan gives a definition of "our neighbor."
• Need to broaden what we look for in leader.  Most of the time we are looking for the leader who can lead thousands -- in reality we need to look for leaders who can lead ten or twenty or fifty or a hundred.
  

Ending Well (Thoughts on Jay Leno's Final Tonight Show)

I find a great leadership learning lab for me in respect to observing how leaders handle a significant life transition is watching  farewell speeches by influential people.  Here are some of my thoughts of Jay Leno's final hosting of the Tonight show.

Help With a New Blog Title

I have been blogging for close to two years now and yet over the past couple of months my posting has been somewhat inconsistent.  Sometimes having weeks between posts. 

My original vision for my blog was to have an outlet to share leadership proddings and learnings in an attempt to open dialogue for us to learn together.  However, I have noticed that though there has been leadership content being present -- my posts have also drifted to random topics of life situations.

So I have decided to launch a blog with leadership content only.  I will still keep my current one and keep it up to date as much as possible, but my main purpose is to focus on the new one.

Here is where I need your help.  I have been toying with a few possible titles and your feedback helpful on which one you like or if you have something new altogether.

A Bit of Self-Leadership Advice

Close to 15 years ago, a now university president, shared this bit of self-leadership advice:  Once a week he would go to his local bookseller to glance at the newest leadership book titles.  This is a practice that I have owned in recent years and has proved to be invaluable in my self-leading efforts. 

So every Monday I check out our local Barnes and Noble and take about 15 minutes to glance and titles.  Some times I jot down 1 or 2 titles sometimes more that may become future reads.  Here are the book titles I took note of today.

Human Thanking Machine

 I heard a pastor mention that after their church had gone through a huge event, his focus would be on being a "human thanking machine."  That is how I feel after the incredible weekend that we just experienced on Easter.  So today my focus will be on using the following means -- Twitter, Facebook, E-mail, Text-Messaging, Blogging and Voice Mail to thank the various teams and individuals for tremendous output over the past few weeks. 

"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves."
I Thessalonians 5:12,13

How They Think of Me as a Leader

Tonight before right before our service began, a friend and fellow leader
gave me this saying that she thought of me when she saw it.
This is not the first time I have been given a
 
Michael Scott inspired item with similar sentiments.

My Super Bowl is Tonight!

In our culture the Super Bowl has come to be more than event, but it is used as an adjective to express the enormity and/or meaning other events.  An expression like "it feel like a Super Bowl-like atmosphere here n the arena" are not uncommon.

As incredible game as it was yesterday -- my "Super Bowl" like event for me is happening tonight at 4:30pm (PST) on ESPN 2 where Tennessee Lady-Volunteer Head Coach Pat Summit will go for win 1,000.  Coach Summit is someone I have long admired as a leader on and off the court and if she should get this win tonight against Oklahoma State this would only further solidify her ranking as one of the greatest coaches of all time in any sport.

Her list of accolades in her profession are simply unbelievable and too much to list!  Click here for a look at her illustrious career.  And click here for an article on here on her being named one of our country's great leaders.

I am looking forward to "My Super Bowl" later today.

"I Wish I Could Be on a Team Like That"

In 1997 I attended the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek Community Church.  Willow had, had a shaping influence on my life and ministry through books and tapes prior to that visit, but being there at the church really expanded my vision to the possibilities of what God can do through the local church.

One of the lasting impressions of that first visit to Willow was Nancy Beach's talk at the Leadership Summit called "Leading Teams That Last."  I have heard every Leadership Summit message, and til this day it is one of my top five all time messages. 

I remember saying to myself, "I wish I could be on a team like that and be lead by a leader like her."

Well 10 years later I am having that opportunity.  For a few years now Nancy Beach has been putting together a team of programming arts leaders from churches all over the country to be a part of a group that she leads called the "Arts Champions."  The term "arts champions" is not to imply some one who is a achieved a status of a champion, but rather someone who champions artists in the local church.  I was graciously asked to be a part of this group two years ago. 

Part of my commitment to this group is attending a gathering of these arts leaders that I just attended a few days ago in Orlando FL.  For a two-and-a-half day period 30 of us brainstormed and dialogued about how to better Ennoble, Connect, Equip and Refresh artists in the local church in view of today's realities and to talk through the upcoming Arts Conference "Toward Wonder" taking place June 10-12.

It was humbling sitting under Nancy's leadership and hearing the great depth of passion that these arts leaders exuded as they shared their passions for God, His Church and the artists who serve within the church.

So thank you Nancy, Lori, Eileen, Pam, Sharon and all the other Arts Champions for allowing me to be a part the team.

Why I Love the Leadership Summit

The highlight of my ministry year is the Leadership Summit.  I simply love this event.  And I consider it such a great privilege to serve as the lead pastor for this as we serve as the San Diego host site.  This makes it all worth it!  I got this e-mail and got permission to share it on this post.  So to anyone who has attended this event or has a part in serving at it.  Please be encouraged.

"I just wanted to share with you the fruit (at least I hope it will be fruit) of last year's leadership summit.  We've been working hard to get Kick for Hope sanctioned by Cal South, and we got approval last week!
I'm just super excited and wanted to share it with you.

This idea started in March of 08, after we found out Michael would be going
to Africa. Its a long story, but ultimately I committed to God, without reservation, to pursue it during the Leadership Summit.  I took one of the speakers mottos and adopted it for this endeavor:  "If you're not failing, you're not dreaming."  This helped kick my fear of failure.  And secondly, I promised God that I would not be afraid to ask anyone for anything for these kids.  I've kept that promise and as a result God has
blessed me with an amazing board and group of volunteers, including several from Journey, to bring this vision to light.

So here's the first tournament (ad attached) in what I hope and truly believe will become a national Kick for Hope weekend somewhere down the road.  When you think of it, please keep the event and all of us who are working on it in your prayers.

God Bless, and thank you for bringing Leadership Summit to JCC."

Kristen Chandler

(Mark your calendars now the 2009 Leadership is on Thursday and Friday August 6 & 7.)

Why I Was Very Encouraged Today

I got a tweet last night from Alex Layson, leader of our Lasting Impressions Teams (LIT), letting me know that I might want to join them because the subject matter of today's monthly LIT meeting (at 7:15am) was for each leader to share three insights from a leadership book they have been reading and to give one application point for their team based upon one of the insights.  This was a follow-up to a challenge given six weeks ago to read a leadership book.

I was so glad I attended and left very encouraged and energized by what took place.  Most of the leaders took the challenge seriously bringing their books and some with typed out notes of what they had to share. In addition the passion in what they shared and how they were impacted by their reading was also obvious.

Most of the books that had been mentioned I had read before (Axiom by Bill Hybels, You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader by Mark Sanborn, Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands by Nancy Ortberg) and it gave me a great frame of reference of what they were sharing, yet they each presented insights from these books that I had not picked upon and also stirred up in me some lessons that I had since forgotten. 

The most important aspect of this meeting for me in hearing what my fellow leaders were learning it gave me great insight into their passions and the kind of leadership make up they have.  In addition nothing gets me more fired up than seeing teams being lead well (props to Alex) and leaders growing in their skill and craft.

... that is why I was very encouraged today!

Scheduling the "Next Time"

In the developing of future leaders for significant leadership roles here is a great thought to keep in mind from Nancy Ortberg's book Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands. 

... Each time they scheduled me to do something, they also scheduled me the "next time."  So each time I tried something new, I never felt as if my future and all of its opportunities were dependent on the way way I handled this one assignment.  The message this sent to me, however subliminal, was that I would always get more chances.  p. 15

This learning has been put into immediate practice in the leadership settings that I serve in.  At a recent programming meeting I mentioned we need to keep the "next time" in mind for every new assignment we hand out to emerging team members whether it be a vocal solo, a weekend service hosting role, video to be produced or a team leading scenario.

Now granted this thinking does need to be held loosely. There will be times where they may be a clear misalignment of one's gifting and the function they performed and in that case it would be serving no one's best interest by giving them a second chance.  Also at times the distance between the first and next time needs to be given consideration.  Yet as a general rule -- I believe this is a great way of developing others. 

A Question that Can Stump Almost Any Leader

Much had been made about Governor Sarah Palin's interview with Katie Couric in view of her struggling to give an articulate answer to the question "What did you read before you were tapped to be John McCain's running mate to keep up with world events?" 

In later interviews Governor Palin would give some explanation to how and why she answered the questions the way she did in that interview and gave, what some would say, the answer they were hoping she would have given in the interview with Couric.

As I began to think why it was such struggle to answer a seemingly simple question, I realized the question is a lot harder than you think. 

I have asked a similar type question of some very gifted leaders, some who have even authored books themselves and on almost every occasion there is a difficulty or pause in giving an answer.  The question that stumps almost any leader is, "What books have you been reading of late?" and I follow-up with "Just name two or three."  Now after a few minutes, now mind you this is very non-threatening casual situation, they come up with two or three books. 

In my own experience when asked that question, I struggle as well and it is usually little while after being asked the question I say to myself "I should have said ..."

So why is it hard?  Is it because we are not reading and need to search for and/ or come up with an answer?

No, I would say the opposite is true.  It is  because for those who read a lot -- it is a hard question where you have navigate in your mind through all the material you have been and are currently reading.  And it takes a few moments to process that information.

On the other hand If I only read three books in my life it would be easy to answer that question.  I would just say Moby Dick, Of Mice and Men and the Purpose Driven LIfe -- you get the picture.

So maybe when we or others struggle with that type of it is not an indicator or ignorance, but rather of intelligence.

Having a Positive "E"ffect

Today I came across and old values statement sheet that I had put together for those whom I am serving with. I have not seen this in over 8 years. Yet I think it is still very applicable in our serving environment and I am thinking of reintroducing it to our teams. This value statement has an overall theme and then it broken down into seven specific attributes of how that theme is to be lived out in our serving efforts.

To have a positive "E"ffect in our spheres of influence.

EXCELLENCE ... that honors God and inspires people.
EVIDENCE ... that God is working in and through one's life.
EFFECTIVENESS ... doing the right things right.
EDUCATION ... engaging in learning experiences to self-lead well.
EQUIPPING ... the importance of helping others also be successful.
EDIFICATION ... remembering that people matter to God.
ENTHUSIASM ... that is contagious & creates energy.

Getting Feedback

On Friday night our worship pastor, Jason Denison, and myself had dinner with a friend visiting from San Antonio Texas.  His line of work includes serving other churches and he himself has served on church staffs for several years in the past. Therefore, I valued the opportunity to get his candid feedback from fresh new eyes of our Friday night service -- a first for him.

When I asked for his impressions of what he experienced – he spoke literally for over 20 minutes on what he observed.   Given his vocational experience he noticed, had questions and gave feedback on variables that the average attendee  probably would not necessarily pick up on – this is exactly the type of feedback we need.

Now some of his observations were surprising at times, but for the most part I could see his point.  Also observations were made in areas that I probably would not have picked up on and some were at times painful – I am not sure to what extent he knew how much of what he mentioned fell under my leadership umbrella.  Yet all the while I was grateful to receive this feedback.

So what made the receiving of this feedback receivable and meaningful?

1. The following are critical in response to that question:The source giving the feedback.  This is a friend who loves the local church and I know that he has our church and my best interest in mind
2. The feedback itself.  The observations and comments he made were very specific and with great detail.
3. The place I am at.  Defensiveness is natural response to feedback especially when it is constructive in nature or may seem to shed light on something that can be done better from the observer’s standpoint.  This can still be a struggle.  However, by continually trying to put myself in a place to receive it – over time I am cultivating a learner’s disposition.

The benefits to the kind of feedback is in plenty:

1. It cultivates a disposition of humility and learner’s spirit.
2. It allows you to get better.
3. It gives you opportunity to celebrate because not all feedback is constructive.  Usually have the feedback I get is celebratory of things we do well – things that are, in many cases unbeknown to me or I have simply taken for granted.

I hope this prods you to find ways to get feedback in whatever you do that matters.

Leadership Extractions from Joseph's Life (Genesis 37)

Last week I mentioned the Joseph Challenge, now that I am in my second week of reading through Joseph's life in the pages of Genesis 37-50 here are few leadership extractions I have gleaned through his life taken from Genesis 37.

The particular leadership extractions I have taken from this chapter is in how to deal with younger leaders or young people all together. In this chapter he is 17 and here are a few things that stands out about his life ...

• Lacked relational intelligence (Joseph brought a bad report of his brothers to his father -- not a great way to gain favor with your older siblings) 37:2
• People Pleaser (using the same example above)
• Arrogant (probably a result of the special affirmation his father bestowed upon him) 37:3,4
• Lacking Self Awareness (on two occasions shared dreams that he had, that declared his reign over them) 37:5-11

So here are my leadership proddings:

• Young people are simply young and some character flaws and challenges will take patience and will come only in time and through hardship (Joseph experienced this).
  
• Do not be cavalier about giving affirmation.  We want to do all we can to encourage and empower young people and yet if the character of the person is not such where they can receive such affirmation with humility -- arrogance and pride are often the result.
• Extra coaching and mentoring is necessary.  Many of the young people we work and serve with are very gifted and talented in ways we will never be.  It is does not mean they are exempt from needing coaching and leadership development.

Journey Summit Team: a Solid Gold Hit!

Serving as a Leadership Summit host site for five years there is one highlight that always stands out.  It is the incredible volunteer serving team that helps put on the event!  We have more than 60 volunteers that take as many as four vacation days to help at this event. Though the event is two days (Thursday & Friday) they often take the day before off to help with prep and up until this year the event had Saturday sessions.

The amazing thing is that many, way more than half, have served every year we have hosted.  In addition we do absolutely no formal recruiting for the event and actually have had to turn away help.  We simply send the team a reminder annually.

One of the lead roles on the Summit Team -- is the volunteer central team.  The leader of that team is responsible for creating a space for all team members to be refreshed (through meals, refreshments and a relaxing environment) and for providing all the latest information that team members would need throughout the day.  Over the years the leaders of these teams have come up with creative themes to celebrate and highlight great examples of servant-hood and service.  This year took on a retro-album theme with the way of expressing or communicating an "at a boy or at a girl" or a praise.

Breaking in a New Moleskine Journal

Today is an exciting day because I get to break in a new Moleskine Journal. And I can't think of better way than filling it with notes from the sessions of the Leadership Summit.  I have already filled a few pages of incredible notes from Bill Hybels opening session.

As this is my first soft back edition -- I need to take this in.  It will probably a few months before I will be able to do this again.

The San Diego Leadership Summit Team

Where the real work is done.  This is the San Diego Summit Site serving team getting here at literally the crack of dawn to prepare and the serve the guest who will be attending this incredible leadership training event over the next two days.

What Calm Before the Storm?

Today is prep day for the Leadership Summit where signs are put up; volunteer central is set up; snacks for breaks are picked up, decorations are being arranged, if you can name it it is being done.  The team is doing an incredible job!  At this point they are breaking for lunch two hours ahead of schedule!
Like most people where did my eyes go to?  My name.

There is a cliche: "the calm before the storm."  And as great as things are progressing it is not without challenges.  Earlier this week our head usher had to step down from his responsibilities because his father passed away and he had to fly out to Virginia.  Then today the leader of our Conference Information Center had a death occur in her family this morning and now is unable to participate. 

Fortunately we have an incredible On-site Event Manager(OEM), Alex Layson, that got two people to step up into these roles.  This is one of the incredible benefits of having a serving team that has been together for the five years we have been hosting the summit.

In addition we do no recruiting for this event and have to actually turn away help.

How I Prepare for the Leadership Summit

Ephesians 5:15,16 (ESV) says, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."�

I believe the one area the enemy of our souls would love to see neglected and thwarted all together is time invested toward events and practices that exponentially move us forward in our leadership and in our overall relationship with God.� Such an event is the Leadership Summit taking place this Thursday and Friday August 7 & 8.� I believe it is the subtle distractions that derail us from what potentially good be a life-changing experience.� I have attended 10 of the 12 Leadership Summits to date and have learned a few things to leverage this learning experience to its maximum potential.

So here is how I prepare for the Leadership Summit:

1. Pray - for a comprehensive list on how to pray for the summit click here.
2. Prepare in advance by reading books by the speakers.� For my Summit reading list click here.
3. Plan with extra fervor.� I mean in all areas of your life.� If you have people watching the kids make sure they are well equipped with enough food, changes of clothes, activities to do etc., etc.-- I would hate to think that a critical moment in a session would be interrupted by my mom calling me because she does not know where the diapers are.� If you are taking time off work, leave clear instructions on who is in charge of specific responsibilities, lay out clear parameters to what necessitates an interruption and have back up plans already in place.
4. Put on the calendar now a time to re-engage with leaders to process learnings together.
5. Resist the temptation to utilize breaks to check in with the office or catch up on work -- some of the best learnings come from conversations with other attendees immediately following a session.
6. Structure your life around on-going, year round leadership development� -- I believe this event is leveraged fully when it serves as a catalyst to an overall leadership growth plan.
7. Treasure your intellectual capital and learnings.� You receive a great conference notebook when you attend -- I personally take notes in a Moleskine journal.

How to Pray for the Leadership Summit

This Thursday & Friday August 7 & 8 Journey Community Church, for the 5th time, will serving as the San Diego host-site for the Leadership Summit.  I cannot fully describe the exponential impact this conference can have in the lives of individual leaders, their church and their spheres of influence. 

So please pray for the following, that ...

1. Every Leadership Summit attendee in San Diego, across the United States and in Canada will come with un-distracted & open hearts and minds with an attitude and spirit to learn.
2. God would anoint each summit speaker in their presentation and in the content that they present. 
3. All the programming elements (music, videos, etc.) would fit in well with overall session themes and be executed with excellence. 
4. Local Summit Site hosts will have a real sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and what is taking place in the room. (please pray for me specifically as I serve as the host at our site)
5. On the technical side of things that their will no challenges here or in South Barrington (where the L.S. Is broadcast from) in the satellite transmission. 
6. Everyone of the summit serving team members would serve with passion and present the highest level of customer service. 
7. There will be many walk-up registrations — that there will be a lot of last minute promptings to attend. 
8. Churches will have a vision for leadership development as a year round process and also make the summit an annual non-negotiable. 
9. Those attending, who are un-churched, spiritually seeking and/or irreligious, would sense God’s movement in their lives and pursue God more fully. 
10. Churches will have significant takeaways and begin to implement learnings to help them reach their redemptive potential.

An Overwhelming Nightly Routine

I need to read to fall asleep.  So a part of my nightly routine is to grab about two or three magazines that I can read through leisurely.  I choose magazines over books because with a book I usually underline and write notes in the margins which can keep me up instead of putting me in a place of rest. Plus when I start getting tired I just let the magazines fall to the side of my bed. 

Two or three magazines every night over period of months all of sudden I can't get to my bed.  So over the past few days I have been taking on the challenge of getting rid of the clutter in our house -- yesterday was the coins, today the daunting task of organizing the magazines. 

The problem is I have subscriptions to 12 magazines!  The amazing thing is that being the sports fan that I am -- I don't have a subscription to Sports Illustrated -- my subscription ended a few months ago.

Vital Friends (Hanging Out with Don)

A few weeks ago I was able to hang out with my friend Don Everts, who came and spoke at our church.  I was introduced to Don through his books and over the years we have developed a great friendship.  The one thing I also walk away with after hanging out with him is a desire to be more like Jesus.

Here are a few of my favorite Don Everts' stories:
1. While his wife was pregnant and they had one year old they decided to move to a lower income, more dangerous part of downtown Denver for a summer to live amongst the poor and to extend the love of Christ through some tangible means.
2. During his six month sabbatical he spent two months in Mexico accompanied by his wife and two children and flying there they did not check in any luggage.
3. Receiving a prompting to leave his campus ministry to serve in a church context to be able to exercise his teaching and preaching gifts more fully -- he left his job believing God would provide His next one before having secured any position.

This time through our conversations the topic of endurance came up at different points as something God has been challenging him to grow in.  In a subtle way God has used those conversations to challenge me in the area of endurance as well. Here a few examples of how it has affected me.

1. My workouts specifically in my running:  by nature in this area of my life I am prone to take the path of least resistance but over the last two weeks when ever I have been tempted to hit the stop button on the treadmill the thought of enduring has stuck in mind.  As a result I have ran longer and more consistently and have experienced breakthroughs in time and distance.
2. My prayer life: I have been praying for some specific areas of my life and quite frankly I had been growing quite weary and discouraged in my prayers -- yet again endurance has come to my mind in this area and has renewed my efforts to pray despite what I may be feeling.
3. My parenting: this is not something comes intuitively to me.  I have to really work at.  And at times I feel I have very little emotional energy to give to my children -- yet at times when I have been tempted to withdraw because I feel I am emotionally spent the thought of endurance has challenged me to give more.

All this to say it so important have vital friendships in your life -- you never know how God may use them to speak into your life.

Character Questionnaire

Today, two of my many meetings included individual one-on-one meetings with two potential new team vocalists -- this is a process all new team members go through and we believe it is essential for those serving in upfront public roles.

In the interview I ask a series questions regarding one's character.  It has been beneficial in so many ways.  From the get go they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them: it opens up conversation on potential challenging issues in the future; and it gives us, the leadership team, a window into a team member's life and how we can come alongside them and help them in their spiritual journ

TEAM CHARACTER QUESTIONNAIRE:
TEAMWORK:
Is being on time a struggle?
How natural is it for you to celebrate another person’s success when they do well in your area of strength?
How do you deal with conflict? Or any personality challenges and issues?

LOVE:
What fruit of the Spirit do you most struggle bearing?
What type or kind of person do you have a problem loving?
How engaged are you in relationships outside the church?

ACCOUNTABILITY:
Do you have safe people in your life that you can process openly with outside of Journey?
Where are you known, celebrated & loved?
How seriously do you take preparation

FOLLOWERSHIP:
How flexible are you?
How do you respond to change?
What area(s) of the church do you have a problem with?

HUMILITY & SERVANT-HOOD:
What practices do you have built into your life to foster humility and a servant’s spirit?
What other area in the church could you see yourself serving in and are you willing to serve in anywhere needed?
How well do you receive constructive criticism or feedback?

International Justice Mission (IJM) on Dateline NBC tonight

(Be sure to set your DVR's for tonight.  This will really stir many of you up who will be attending the 2008 Leadership Summit as Gary Haugen is one of the speakers.)

Dear Rod,

Dateline NBC this evening will feature a special update on IJM undercover work in Svay Pak, Cambodia that resulted in the rescue of 37 girls. The Dateline NBC story, entitled “Children for Sale,” originally aired in January 2004 and has received significant airtime as well as two Emmy awards.

Tonight’s update will include a new interview with Gary Haugen as well as interviews with several of the young girls rescued by IJM in the original raids.

9pm EDT/PDT
Dateline NBC

Please watch and spread the word to friends who may be new to IJM!

Gratefully–
International Justice Mission

Learning from an Incredible Leader

If you were to go amazon.com and do a search putting in the word "leadership" the very first two entries you would find is leadership books by John Maxwell. And if you would continue scroll down you would find many more of his books listed. All this to say that John Maxwell, in many ways has become synonymous with leadership.

For years I have been influenced by John Maxwell through his books, cds and seeing him speak at various conferences. Recently I have been able to see his leadership lived out in a couple of brief interactions as he often attends our church when he is in town. His daughter and her family attends Journey and therefore he and his wife attend with them.

Two Sundays ago I was able to speak with John for a few moments in between services and it was invaluable learning experience for me.  I experienced what it means to be a great leader.

First, when I introduced myself and after exchanging basic pleasantries, he immediately gave very positive feedback about the service -- specifically the message. He went into great detail about how the passage that was spoken on and its subject matter gave him insight that was fresh and new to him and how it really spoke to him. Now this is coming from someone who knows something about preaching and teaching.

The lesson I relearned is that I leaders are truly learners.

Second, I did not want to take up to much of his time, but I have made it habit whenever I meet a gifted leader to ask them what they are reading or have recently read. He then began to share about the last four books he read. Now it took him a while to get through the four books because he was interrupted by a few old friends that wanted to say hi (more about that later) however, after greeting his friends he always picked up where he left off to make sure I got the book titles and authors right.

The lesson I relearned is to take the time to invest and help other leaders grow -- it may take more than a book list at times but it is worth it.

Third, throughout my conversation he was greeted by a few former leaders and board members that he lead while pastoring Skyline Church. What stood out to me was how though he probably had not had much contact with them in years - - he still knew them all by name and also a lot of their children's names.

The lesson I relearned is that it is all about people and taking a genuine interest in them.

Technology: The New Rock Star

Technology has now been elevated to rock-star status.  Take for example yesterday with the release of the new iphone running on the 3G network.  Scenes like below with literally hundreds of people waiting hours in line to get this new device on its opening day were taking place all across America.  I happened to be at Fashion Valley Shopping Center and took these pictures -- unbelievable.

And unlike celebrities like a Bono or athletes like Kobe Bryant -- when fans stand in line to see them, this is the only place you will be able to see them.  With technology there a multiple (in the millions) of the same piece of equipment.  This is not an exclusive experience -- yet people are willing to go through the hassle.

The implications for us in the church world is great.  With leaders in the church needing to understand how to best connect with those in our communities -- yes it is important to be current on local and world news events and it is also important to understand pop culture -- what music people are listening to; what TV shows and movies people are watching; and what celebrities people are taking an interest in, but we also need to be up on technology.  This is not just for geeks and nerds Technology is increasingly taking a bigger role in all people's lives and having a more shaping influence.

Ministry Achilles' Heel (Part 1)

An Achilles’ heel is a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength, actually or potentially leading to downfall. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, metaphorical references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to their downfall are common.  For a full explanation click here.

I believe every ministry has a fatal weakness that if not addressed or tended to will lead to, and this not getting over dramatic, burnout, poor volunteer retention, mediocre and often poor ministry execution, dissent, an utter disaster -- you get the picture. 

Now every ministry is different.  And by tending to this one specific variable I will mention it does not mean that you neglect everything else.  However, if not done this will guarantee failure.  In my 20 years of serving in the church and 16 of those years on the staffs of large churches here is what I have learned.

First Impressions or Guest Relation type ministries (i.e. Ushers, Greeters, Guest Services, Service Hosts)
Achilles' heel: Vision

These ministries are often referred to, at least in our setting, "easy entry" type ministries.  We often tell new people that a good place to start in ministry is in one of these teams.  They are described this way because the preparation level is minimal, and the skill level, though for extroverted personalities this may come easier, is simply to convey a genuine -- warm and friendly greeting.  Now there is a little more to it than that -- these type of guest teams need a working knowledge of the general layout of the church to give directions and they need a general understanding of ministry life to answer guests questions. 

So why is the Achilles' Heel "Vision?"

It is Vision because the these teams need to be constantly envisioned that what they do matters.  What they do is making a difference.  And what they do does not have to be a stepping stone to another ministry.  What makes these teams easy to recruit for, is also the very thing that needs to be addressed regularly.  If it is "easy in," it is also "easy out." The tendency for many who join these teams is that they will serve here for a while then move on to something more challenging and "more meaningful" once they figure it out.  For some this may be the case. But for others these guest teams can be a long term serving role for years to come.  I serve with some who have been greeters and ushers for 10 years and still going on with passion.

Why is this is important?

Because we need quality people on the front lines!  How many of us have been turned off by rude cashier or clerk who was not able to answer the simplest of questions in many of the businesses we frequent.

It has been said that the ball game is won on the front lines.  But we often fall into same trap that many businesses do that preaches that mantra but does not service it with the type of personnel that can make a difference.

We need to continually envision these teams that it is there positive first and often sometimes lasting impression is what can lead to a guest to deciding to make this their church and in some instances making their first step in journeying toward Christ.  Most of the times a guest impression of their experience is made before they hear word spoken or song sung. 

These teams are that important!  And they need to know that!