rodsprod

Why Go to Church!

Our senior pastor at Crossroads Church in Loveland Colorado, @johnsmithcrsrds, has shared in a couple of leadership settings that statistics are showing that the average church attendere goes two out of every nine weeks.  Stating the obvious -- this is not good!

A few years ago in a leadership gathering with Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willowcreek Community Church Bill shared five reasons why it is important to go to church -- I trust this will resonate with you.

1. Jesus modeled it for us. He made it a practice of His.  Luke 4:16 "When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom."
2. A reminder that you are not alone -- that you are not crazy
3. Important for our children.  Your kids are depending on you  They cannot drive themselves.
4. The Power of the Manifest Presence of God -- Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
5. Out of Discipline and Obedience. Hebrews 10:24, 25 "And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

 

My Lead Reads ... What's in My Kindle.

Our family has been in a season of transition this summer and one area that has suffered as a result of being in continual packing and getting my house ready for sale mode is my self leading practices -- in particular my reading efforts.  Reading daily is a part of my Life Plan replenishmnet cycle and is necessary for me to keep my thinking sharp and my mind active to be able to resource myself and others whom I lead and influence.

As we settle in our new life in Fort Collins I am eager to get back into this practice of reading daily.  On the right column "What's In My Kindle" is the books I have or will be downloading to read during the last four months of 2012. 

Some have asked me how I come with my list. Here is some ways I go about putting my list together.  And I highly prod you to have a pipeline of books ready to read so once you finish one book you don't meander trying to figure out what's next, but rather having the next one ready to go!

• The Global Leadership Summit (GLS) this two day leadership training event usually produces a couple of books that catches my attention because either one of the speakers references the book or it is a book the speaker has wrote. John Ortberg's Who Is This Man ... is an example of such a book.
• There are some people I simply read whatever they write such is the case with Jon Gordon -- his fast reading, yet highly impacting books -- gives me a great boost of leadership energy.  His latest book is The Positive Dog.  In addition Peter Drucker also in this category of trying to read whatever he has written hence Innovation and Entrepreneurship being on the list.
• By recommendation by a friend and/or colleague.  In this case Dennis Anderson, whom I work with at Crossroads, suggested N.T. Wright's How God Became King.
• Interest in the subject matter.  Such is the case with Cynthia Montgomery's The Strategist.  Strategic is one of my core strengths -- so anything on this topic will catch my attention.
• The rest usually comes from me browsing a bookstore's store leadership and management section.  Why do I go to a bookstore still when I download all my books.  The main reason is that if you search Amazon by topic you get literally tens of thousands of listings.  In addition it is still easier to pick up a hard copy to scan the table of contents and read a few pages, though for reading an entire book -- Kindle is the way to go for me.

I hope this will prod you to come up with your own book list.  I am still open to a couple of suggestions so please let me know what you are reading.

My last GLS at site #44

Over the past couple of weeks I have been experiencing a series of "lasts" (experiences I am having for the last time) as I have been preparing for my move from San Diego to Colorado.  

One of these lasts took place this past Thursday and Friday being a part of the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit here in San Diego where for nine years Journey Community Church has served as the host site (site #44).  During my 16-year run at JCC I have had the privilege of leading several different teams and departments and serving as the GLS point leader was truly one of my favorites.

At the conclusion of every GLS I become a human thanking machine -- making it my priority to thank the incredible volunteers who serve with tireless passion and energy.

(A pre-service team meeting way before guests start arriving.)

Many of our volunteers take up to three days vacation to serve at this event.  During our nine years we have never had to hold any type of formal recruitment, in fact we often turn away those who ask to volunteer and many of our team have been serving all nine years we have hosted the event!

This last GLS we had 42 churches, businesses and organizations represented with over in 400 attendance making it our biggest attended GLS to date.

So 9 years and 82 sessions later I want to say thank you to all who served and made the GLS such a rewarding and vision infusing learning experience.  I truly hold you in highest regards!  I have no doubt that in 2013 as Journey will celebrate 10 years of hosting the GLS -- it will be the best yet!

I will definitely miss being there with you, but I will be keeping tabs as Crossroads also serves as a GLS site (#138) serving the northern Colorado area.

Let us continue to lead where we are!

The Land Between -- GLS Weekend Extra

Still wanting more from what you experienced this GLS weekend?

Here are some additon learnings from Jeff Manion .. enjoy!

 

Also for more information on book "The Land Between" available at the Daily Journey Counter this weekend,  check this out below:

 

The Land Between -- "GLS Weekend" @Journey

2011will mark the 8th year that Journey Community Church will serve as the Global Leadership Summit (GLS) host site in the San Diego area.  Annually this world-class leadership training event impacts hundreds of leaders in our community and tens of thousands globally.  For three years now we have designated a weekend to feature an actual GLS message given at a previous event to give our church a sampling of what an incredible event the GLS is.

This weekend, May 27 & 29, is our GLS weekend featuring one of the highest rated sessions from last year's conference.  It is the message "The Land Between" by Jeff Manion senior teaching pastor at Ada Bible Church.  The message is also the topic of a book by the same title that we will have available after each of our services at the Daily Journey counter. 

Here is a sample of what you will experience this weekend.

 

In addtion Journey members will be able to sign up for the 2011 GLS at an incredible host site rate after services also at the Daily Journey counter. 

You will not want to miss this weekend!

"My First 11 in 2011" -- Reading List

Like a lot of people I am setting goals for this new year.  One of the most fundamental ones to me is putting together a reading list to help me in my self-leading efforts.  Listed below is the first 11 books that I will be reading in 2011 and a brief commentary on why I am choosing to read them.  I have downloaded most of them to my Kindle 2.  Links to respective books are in the column on the right.

I would love to hear about what you reading.  Please tell me what you are reading by commenting.

1. Think Twice: Harnessing the Power of Counterintuition by Michael J. Mauboussin (A book that caught my attention as a result of my Monday Morning Routine.)
2. Buy-In: Saving Your Good Idea from Getting Shot Down by John Kotter (One of the most insightful thinkers on change.)
3. Chief Culture Officer: How to Create a Living, Breathing Corporation by Grant McCracken (Another book that caught my attention as a resutl of my Monday Morning Routine.)
   
4. Open Leadership: How Social Technology Can Transform the Way You Lead by Charlene Li (Social Networking is not going away, the more we are up on it the better we can leverage it in our leading.)
5. Talk Less, Say More: Three Habits to Influence Others and Make Things Happen by Connie Dieken (A skill set that I can always use some learning in.)
6. Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God by John Piper  (His key thought that reading is thinking really resonates with me.)
7. Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just by Timothy Keller (Keller is one of my favorite author, I simply read whateve he writes.)
8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Just curious about this book series that seems to be gaining popularity.)
9. Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction by Eugene H. Peterson (Our worship pastor Jason Denison referenced this book in our leaders meeting and got my attention)
10. Winning on Purpose: How To Organize Congregations to Succeed in Their Mission by William Easum (This is a work related read for a project I am currently working on.)
11. Well Being by Tom Rath (Rath's work through the Gallup Organization I find very insightful.)
12. The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn't Exist by Craig Groeschel (I know that I said 11, but there are just too many good books so I added one more.  One of the best innovative leaders in the church and I read everything he writes.)

I will also revisiting these two books that I have previously read:

In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson (I have given to this too most of my leaders to read)

Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight (Our leadership team is reading it)

Basketball's holy land -- Cameron Indoor Stadium

In honor of Coach Mike Krzyzewski's (Coach K)  880th victory last night putting him number two all-time on the men's basketball win list, here are some, or should I say a lot of pics from my recent visit (Dec. 8, 2010) to basketball's holy land --  Cameron Indoor Stadium on the Duke University Campus in Durham North Carolina. 

Whether you are a Blue Devil fan or not, every serious college basketball fan should make a visit to Cameron for game at some point.  I am hoping to make this an annual pilgrimage.

I am fan of not only of Duke's basketball program, but Coach K has been an indirect leadership mentor to me.  I am sitting in a place of greatness.

I have been a long time Duke fan since 1978 when I followed them make a run to the final four eventually losing the championship game to Kentucky 94-88.   The purpose of this visit was belated milestone birthday gift to my mom, who is also long time Duke fan.

The game we attended Duke defeated Bradley 81-48.  It was a historic evening as Coach K chalked up win 877 moving him into third in all-time wins.

That night sophomore great Andre Dawkins had a career night scoring 31 points including 8 three-pointers.

Now what makes Cameron Indoor Stadium the number one home court advantage in all of sports is the "Cameron Crazies!"

Our seats gave a great view of seeing an incredible leader in action.

We spent the whole day walking the campus and taking in the mystique of this place and you never know who you might run into.  Here I am with all-american, player of the year nominee Nolan Smith.

Later that day we ran into sophomore sensation Ryan Kelly the starting 6 -10 forward.

Then after the game freshman phenom Kyrie Irving who was on his way to being a first-team All-American and no doubt freshman of the year. 

This was my second trip to Cameron this year.  Earlier this year I attended a game with my son,  and when we there there were only three of these now there are four.

 

 

Learning from TOMS

Since its inception  as a footware company a friend and work colleague had been challenging me to take a look at TOMS Shoes.

After hearing Chief Shoe Giver Blake Mycoskie share the story of TOMS at The Global Leadership Summit (GLS) this past August I was definitely inspired by the TOMS story and was prodded to learn more about this company that is not only making a quality product, but having a global impact through it business model (One for One) that for every pair of shoes purchased gives away one pair of shoes to a child in need.

I love finding out what makes organization tick. So when I was given an opportunity to come visit their main offices in Santa Monica, I could not pass it up.  So yesterday I met with their Community Outreach Manager, Allie Tsavdarides,  and left encouraged by company's vision and story, but I also left encouraged with some great leadership learnings as well.

First -- the product. On the right is an example of a TOMS shoe you would purchase.  The shoe on the left is the one a child would receive.

In the United States, TOMS are worn primarily as casual wear.  However, in the countries that TOMS gives its shoes away, this is often a child's only pair.  Hence the color black because it matches most school uniforms.  Shoes are of the essence because these schools require a full uniform that includes shoes.  In addition because they are made for mutlifacated, daily use and they are often customized for that specific countries needs.

Again the shoe on the right is the one you would purchase, the one on the left is the one given.

Now my leadership take aways were invaluable! 

The first being the importance of keeping the mission of an organization clear, focussed and in front of the people.  The word "GIVE" (in reference to their innovative business model of giving a pair away for every pair purchased)  is displayed at various places throughout the warehouse and in some very creative ways. 

The other key leadership learning I took away was the importance of an organization's culture and having the right people on the team that contribute to the team's cultural DNA.  At TOMS skill, character and experience are give-ins in any employee.  What is also critical, is the expression of creativity whether you are in the finance, sales, design or any facet of the company.  And walking around the place, it oozes with creativity.

I hope you will be prodded to make a difference by buying a pair.

 

Thank You GLS 044 Team -- Better Late Than Never

After going AWOL on my blog for the months of July and August and arguably most of the year -- I have started to re-engage in September.  What I missed most about blogging is having that outlet to express what was going on in my life -- even if for only the benefit of myself being able to process my thoughts.

Exactly one month ago today our church hosted a two-day world class leadership training event The Global Leadership Summit (GLS).  We are one of over 200 sights across North America that hosted this event with over 60,000 in total attendance.  We have been serving as the host site for the past seven years and I am incredibly grateful to be able to be apart of the team that puts the event on -- which is  primarily by volunteers who take vacation time for three days (this includes an event prep day) to serve local church participants in the area.

Under the leadership of our on-site event mananger (OEM) Alex Layson to say our team does an unbelievable job hosting event would be an understatement.  We never do any recruiting of team members, most recommit for the next year at the end of the current year's GLS.  And we have also managed to decrease the actual amount of volunteers needed to pull off the event so more of them experience the GLS as participants and at the same time not compromise our excellence in serving.

So I know this is a month late, I hope the notion better late than never applies here, so as the lead pastor for the GLS Site 044 I owe you a heart-felt thank you -- I truly do hold you in the highest regards! 

I Thessalonians 5:12, 13 "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."

Totally Pumped for the GLS!/ Summit Weekend @JOURNEY

Here is a recent tweet by one of the speakers at this year's Global Leadership Summit (GLS) taking place on Thursday and Friday August 5 & 6.

This was tweeted by the legendary former General Electric CEO Jack Welch, whom many regard as one the greatest CEO's & business leaders of our time, shortly after filming the video cast that will be presented at the GLS.

When I saw this ... it totally pumped me up for an event I am already excited about!  I have been to 12 out of the previous 14 summit experiences either at the Willow Creek Community Church campus (where the event is broadcast from) and at satellite sites.  The two years I missed I have listened to every message on tape and CD.  I cannot overstate how this world-class leadership training event has impacted my life and ministry!

This will be our 7th year in hosting this event as the San Diego Host Site (summit site 044).  In addition we have played a critical role in helping make this leadership training event more accessible to leaders throughout San Diego County by helping launch two new summit sites in Oceanside and Murrieta.  Both respective churches hosting these sites have brought big teams to our location in years past.

At the end of this two-day experience I am left with two thoughts. One being of excitement with all the fresh learnings that need to be processed and then lived out; Two one of discontent looking around the room knowing that more people should have been here -- many I know by name specifically from our church.  I have yet to meet a person who has attended the GLS saying "what a waste time."  Instead the extreme opposite has been true -- they only comment on what an incredibly life-changing event this was.

So for those of you still not convinced to attend.  For the second year now we are holding what is referred to as "Summit Sunday," where we give you a taste of the GLS experience by presenting one of the highest rated summit talks from previous years.

 

This years talk is "Shadow Mission" by author of The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg.  We will be presenting this message alongside a great run of worship songs. I have no doubt that after hearing this message you will be compelled to register for this event.  Please note that this is the last weekend you can register at the best host site rate. Be sure to stop by the GLS table after each of our three services.

A Picture of a Great Volunteer

Last week at this time I attended C3 West Coast: The Rise of the Iguana.  In pastor Ed Young's second message he presented this picture of a great volunteer -- inspired from the book of Nehemiah while trying to rebuild the wall.

"A tool in one hand and a sword in the other."

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.