I don't think I need to tell you; I don't want to go home today.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
WDW Vacation 2008
Some of the places we will be eating at this week...
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. I love this place, it is set up like a drive-in and they play old cheesy horror movies on a big screen while you sit in a replica of an old car and have your meal.
'Ohana breakfast. We get to enjoy this breakfast with a few others: Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, Goofey, Chip and Dale.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. I tried to get reservations here but they were booked months in advance... stink! Shelby and Tammy like to pretend that they are princesses here :-)
The Garden Grill. This is one of my favorites. The restaurant slowly turns as you enjoy your meal and as the characters come around to your table.
Trails End. I imagine we will enjoy a meal or two here while we stay at our Fort Wilderness Cabin. You just can't beat an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Whispering Canyon Cafe. Family style dinner and very interactive servers.
Eating is a sport while I am at Disney. I should come home at least 5 pounds heavier! Videos of some of the restaurants coming a little latter today.
WDW Vacation 2008
Some of the places we will be eating at this week...
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. I love this place, it is set up like a drive-in and they play old cheesy horror movies on a big screen while you sit in a replica of an old car and have your meal.
'Ohana breakfast. We get to enjoy this breakfast with a few others: Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, Goofey, Chip and Dale.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. I tried to get reservations here but they were booked months in advance... stink! Shelby and Tammy like to pretend that they are princesses here :-)
The Garden Grill. This is one of my favorites. The restaurant slowly turns as you enjoy your meal and as the characters come around to your table.
Trails End. I imagine we will enjoy a meal or two here while we stay at our Fort Wilderness Cabin. You just can't beat an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Whispering Canyon Cafe. Family style dinner and very interactive servers.
Eating is a sport while I am at Disney. I should come home at least 5 pounds heavier! Videos of some of the restaurants coming a little latter today.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
WDW Vacation 2008
This is where we have been staying our first few nights at Disney World. We are staying at Fort Wilderness Campground in a cabin. This is our first time staying at Fort Wilderness Campground and I think we will enjoy being just a short boat ride over to Magic Kingdom.
It is just a short distance to Magic Kingdom - you can see the castle and space mountain from here.
WDW Vacation 2008
This is where we have been staying our first few nights at Disney World. We are staying at Fort Wilderness Campground in a cabin. This is our first time staying at Fort Wilderness Campground and I think we will enjoy being just a short boat ride over to Magic Kingdom.
It is just a short distance to Magic Kingdom - you can see the castle and space mountain from here.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
WDW Vacation 2008
Today (weather permitting) we will be visiting the Magic Kingdom.
Hopefully I will be able to get on my favorite ride, Splash Mountain!
WDW Vacation 2008
Today (weather permitting) we will be visiting the Magic Kingdom.
Hopefully I will be able to get on my favorite ride, Splash Mountain!
Monday, September 22, 2008
WDW Vacation 2008
It is a "tradition" for us to have our first meal at Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney
WDW Vacation 2008
It is a "tradition" for us to have our first meal at Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney
Sunday, September 21, 2008
WDW Vacation 2008
Let me give you a little hint where we will be going on vacation tomorrow...
I will have posts scheduled to go up each day that we are gone. There is also a possibility that we will be able to get online while on vacation.
WDW Vacation 2008
Let me give you a little hint where we will be going on vacation tomorrow...
I will have posts scheduled to go up each day that we are gone. There is also a possibility that we will be able to get online while on vacation.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Counting Just Some Of My Blessings
I'm so blessed:
By God's providence I was born in the richest most blessed nation in the world.
I have great parents who did a very good job raising me.
I have all I could ever need or want materially.
I have good health.
I've got a loving wife and fantastically gifted and loving daughter.
I'm part of a great church body that is passionate about making a difference in this world.
Most importantly, I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Since Christ lives in me, I am experiencing eternity right now.
I'm so blessed!
Counting Just Some Of My Blessings
I'm so blessed:
By God's providence I was born in the richest most blessed nation in the world.
I have great parents who did a very good job raising me.
I have all I could ever need or want materially.
I have good health.
I've got a loving wife and fantastically gifted and loving daughter.
I'm part of a great church body that is passionate about making a difference in this world.
Most importantly, I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Since Christ lives in me, I am experiencing eternity right now.
I'm so blessed!
A Little More Innovate 08
Steven Furtick did an awesome job with his talk on the last day of Innovate. I didn't take a lot of notes because I was just soaking in what he was saying about not giving up on the dream that God has given to you. I did right this quote down...
"time talks you out of your dreams"
I've got dreams of reaching more and more people for Christ.... .... why am I so afraid to own it ... ... I've got dreams of reaching thousands for Christ! That dream rests inside of me and over time, if I am not careful, it begins to fade. I start thinking, "Maybe I didn't hear from God what I thought I had heard/sensed".
I've got a God given dream inside of me to reach thousands of souls with the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ and after the promise comes the process before the payoff. Right now I'm in "process"'; in the middle of the process my job is to be faithful and not let time dull my sense of God's dream placed in me.
A Little More Innovate 08
Steven Furtick did an awesome job with his talk on the last day of Innovate. I didn't take a lot of notes because I was just soaking in what he was saying about not giving up on the dream that God has given to you. I did right this quote down...
"time talks you out of your dreams"
I've got dreams of reaching more and more people for Christ.... .... why am I so afraid to own it ... ... I've got dreams of reaching thousands for Christ! That dream rests inside of me and over time, if I am not careful, it begins to fade. I start thinking, "Maybe I didn't hear from God what I thought I had heard/sensed".
I've got a God given dream inside of me to reach thousands of souls with the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ and after the promise comes the process before the payoff. Right now I'm in "process"'; in the middle of the process my job is to be faithful and not let time dull my sense of God's dream placed in me.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Innovate 08 Final Session - Mark Beeson
Mark is on stage encouraging us to be ourselves and not somebody else.
Mark Beeson did the shot-put in High School. I never would have guessed :-)
When you are under pressure what is really in you is going to come out.
If you don't abide in Christ then the pressure of ministry will crush you.
As we lean into the future we've got to be honest with who we are.
We have to find a way to deliver the message so that people hear it.
Christians don't need lights, cameras, screens, padded chairs, etc. we already get it and we will follow no matter what - all the stuff is not for us. It is for the generation that needs to hear the message.
To transition a traditional entrenched church it takes communication. If we understood the truth we could turn a lot faster.
You have to translate the Gospel into the culture that God has placed you.
People in today's culture want to feel something when they go to church.
You've got to cast vision for change and when you do it will help people to turn in the direction that God is leading.
When you are bringing people on the team:
Bring people going in the same direction. If you get clarity on who you are and what you are going to do, then it effects how you do it.
You have to have the same mission and purpose.
Innovate 08 Final Session - Mark Beeson
Mark is on stage encouraging us to be ourselves and not somebody else.
Mark Beeson did the shot-put in High School. I never would have guessed :-)
When you are under pressure what is really in you is going to come out.
If you don't abide in Christ then the pressure of ministry will crush you.
As we lean into the future we've got to be honest with who we are.
We have to find a way to deliver the message so that people hear it.
Christians don't need lights, cameras, screens, padded chairs, etc. we already get it and we will follow no matter what - all the stuff is not for us. It is for the generation that needs to hear the message.
To transition a traditional entrenched church it takes communication. If we understood the truth we could turn a lot faster.
You have to translate the Gospel into the culture that God has placed you.
People in today's culture want to feel something when they go to church.
You've got to cast vision for change and when you do it will help people to turn in the direction that God is leading.
When you are bringing people on the team:
Bring people going in the same direction. If you get clarity on who you are and what you are going to do, then it effects how you do it.
You have to have the same mission and purpose.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Innovate '08
We are enjoying the Innovate 08 conference so far. I'm always impressed by Granger's creativity, and their passion for telling people about Jesus Christ.
The speakers we heard today were Mark Beeson, Shawn Wood, and Tim Stevens. For my breakout session I checked out Mark Waltz's talk on First Impressions. Each speaker has been great; as always.
I snapped a quick photo with my camera phone before one of our sessions...
Innovate 08 Session 5
Missional Moves
Jesus calls us to reach our Jerusalem.
How do we get the church in the community?
First missional move Rob posed... What is the Gospel that Jesus preached?
Churches are filled with well meaning Christians that would not give the answer that Jesus would give.
People think that the Gospel is: how to get out of trouble with God. They think that because we have told them that. The Gospel is how to get to heaven when you die.
Jesus never teaches that.
see Mark 1:14, 15 - Good news was used as a term relating to a political announcement. It was a news cast. Jesus' news cast. The announcement is that the Kingdom of God is here.
Jesus would preach the good news and heal the people. see Luke 8:1; Mark 9:1,2; Luke 10:1, 5-9.
The Kingdom of God is foundational to Jesus' teaching. Jesus comes back and speaks to His disciples about the Kingdom of God - Acts 1:3
Jesus teaches about the Kingdom in the Lord's (disciple's) Prayer. The Kingodm of God is available now!
It is the life of God breaking through the dark and broken places on earth!
It is "bringing up there, down here."
What would it look like if Jesus answered that prayer - Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
You and are to build the Kingdom now. The kingdom involves every sphere of human concern. The vision of Jesus is so expansive.
We need to shift from a Gospel from saved souls to saved whole's. The whole of humanity must be touched by the Good News... feeding the hungry, clothing the naked... It is the demonstration of the verbal proclamation.
Missional Move: From "Flashlight" to "Laser Focus"
We think that more is better. The great commission is confused with the great commotion.
A flashlight is diffused light but when you focus it into a laser the laser becomes effective... even to heal.
Acts 1:8 - the Gospel taken locally, domestically, cross culturally, and globally.
You can't borrow someones vision. You have to take your unique DNA as a church ands translate that into your "life mission". You must find where God is active and seek His guidance.
Narrowing focus increases impact.
Missional Move: From Professionals to Full Participation.
Rather than look for the pros to do the ministry outside the church the church begins to participate in the Kingdom work that needs to be done.
Many people's first step is not a large mission. So look for ways that are simple on ramps for people to get involved (Second Saturday).
The time has come for local churches to determine where they stand and fight for the Kingdom of God. God is moving the local church to the front line! To move outside our safety zone and fight against the gates of hell.
Lord let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
Let up there come down here!
Innovate 08 Day 2
We are sitting here ready for day 2 of Innovate 08 to start. The music is pumping and the anticipation is palpable. If it is not too distracting I may try to live blog the next talk.
Brian Cline and I have determined that Granger Community Church's sanctuary is the world's largest Man Room.
Gotta go - Eye of the Tiger is being played instrumentally and I've got to relieve the 80's in my mind.
Innovate 08 - Super Slide
I dared Brian Cline to go down the kids slide at GCC and scare the people down below waiting to start their breakout session. He did it! Check this out -
I don't know why this image shows up twice; kinda' weird.
Innovate '08
We are enjoying the Innovate 08 conference so far. I'm always impressed by Granger's creativity, and their passion for telling people about Jesus Christ.
The speakers we heard today were Mark Beeson, Shawn Wood, and Tim Stevens. For my breakout session I checked out Mark Waltz's talk on First Impressions. Each speaker has been great; as always.
I snapped a quick photo with my camera phone before one of our sessions...
Innovate 08 Session 5
Missional Moves
Jesus calls us to reach our Jerusalem.
How do we get the church in the community?
First missional move Rob posed... What is the Gospel that Jesus preached?
Churches are filled with well meaning Christians that would not give the answer that Jesus would give.
People think that the Gospel is: how to get out of trouble with God. They think that because we have told them that. The Gospel is how to get to heaven when you die.
Jesus never teaches that.
see Mark 1:14, 15 - Good news was used as a term relating to a political announcement. It was a news cast. Jesus' news cast. The announcement is that the Kingdom of God is here.
Jesus would preach the good news and heal the people. see Luke 8:1; Mark 9:1,2; Luke 10:1, 5-9.
The Kingdom of God is foundational to Jesus' teaching. Jesus comes back and speaks to His disciples about the Kingdom of God - Acts 1:3
Jesus teaches about the Kingdom in the Lord's (disciple's) Prayer. The Kingodm of God is available now!
It is the life of God breaking through the dark and broken places on earth!
It is "bringing up there, down here."
What would it look like if Jesus answered that prayer - Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
You and are to build the Kingdom now. The kingdom involves every sphere of human concern. The vision of Jesus is so expansive.
We need to shift from a Gospel from saved souls to saved whole's. The whole of humanity must be touched by the Good News... feeding the hungry, clothing the naked... It is the demonstration of the verbal proclamation.
Missional Move: From "Flashlight" to "Laser Focus"
We think that more is better. The great commission is confused with the great commotion.
A flashlight is diffused light but when you focus it into a laser the laser becomes effective... even to heal.
Acts 1:8 - the Gospel taken locally, domestically, cross culturally, and globally.
You can't borrow someones vision. You have to take your unique DNA as a church ands translate that into your "life mission". You must find where God is active and seek His guidance.
Narrowing focus increases impact.
Missional Move: From Professionals to Full Participation.
Rather than look for the pros to do the ministry outside the church the church begins to participate in the Kingdom work that needs to be done.
Many people's first step is not a large mission. So look for ways that are simple on ramps for people to get involved (Second Saturday).
The time has come for local churches to determine where they stand and fight for the Kingdom of God. God is moving the local church to the front line! To move outside our safety zone and fight against the gates of hell.
Lord let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
Let up there come down here!
Innovate 08 Day 2
We are sitting here ready for day 2 of Innovate 08 to start. The music is pumping and the anticipation is palpable. If it is not too distracting I may try to live blog the next talk.
Brian Cline and I have determined that Granger Community Church's sanctuary is the world's largest Man Room.
Gotta go - Eye of the Tiger is being played instrumentally and I've got to relieve the 80's in my mind.
Innovate 08 - Super Slide
I dared Brian Cline to go down the kids slide at GCC and scare the people down below waiting to start their breakout session. He did it! Check this out -
I don't know why this image shows up twice; kinda' weird.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
I Love Free Stuff
My good friend - "Pastor Pink" was kind enough to bring me a couple of gifts yesterday; he's such a great friend...
I Love Free Stuff
My good friend - "Pastor Pink" was kind enough to bring me a couple of gifts yesterday; he's such a great friend...
Innovate 08
Tomorrow morning, bright and early (4:30 AM) I will be taking off for the Innovate 08 Church Conference in Granger, IN. Brian Cline, Nathan Harris, and Kimberly Harris will be joining me this year.
I really enjoy heading up to Granger Community Church each year and being inspired by their creativity and passion for excellence. Mark Beeson, lead pastor of GCC, was a pastor right here in big ol' Farmland, IN. I've had the privelege of meeting Mark; he's a great guy.
Over the past several years I've probably taken close to 20 different people from our church with me up to this conference as it is a great opportunity to see ministry done in a way that I would like to translate into our own culture here at FFC.
I'm sure I will be twittering and perhaps even blogging while I am up there. Since this post is full of links already I'll throw a few more out there for good measure. Here are some other fine folks from Granger...
Tim Stevens... by the way, Tim will be speaking at The Sticks Conference that I will be attending in November.
Kem Meyer... "less clutter - less noise". I also enjoy following Kem's twitters.
Mark Waltz... If I recall correctly, I think Mark has some East Central Indiana ties as well.
Innovate 08
Tomorrow morning, bright and early (4:30 AM) I will be taking off for the Innovate 08 Church Conference in Granger, IN. Brian Cline, Nathan Harris, and Kimberly Harris will be joining me this year.
I really enjoy heading up to Granger Community Church each year and being inspired by their creativity and passion for excellence. Mark Beeson, lead pastor of GCC, was a pastor right here in big ol' Farmland, IN. I've had the privelege of meeting Mark; he's a great guy.
Over the past several years I've probably taken close to 20 different people from our church with me up to this conference as it is a great opportunity to see ministry done in a way that I would like to translate into our own culture here at FFC.
I'm sure I will be twittering and perhaps even blogging while I am up there. Since this post is full of links already I'll throw a few more out there for good measure. Here are some other fine folks from Granger...
Tim Stevens... by the way, Tim will be speaking at The Sticks Conference that I will be attending in November.
Kem Meyer... "less clutter - less noise". I also enjoy following Kem's twitters.
Mark Waltz... If I recall correctly, I think Mark has some East Central Indiana ties as well.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Leadership Lessons 5 of 5
I will conclude the leadership lessons with these little nuggets...
Don't throw away cards or gifts that people have given to you anywhere they might see it. When my mom was a young “pastor’s wife” she got in big trouble one time for throwing away a card that someone gave her and they found it in the trash at church. I think it was the same church where she got in trouble for wearing a red leather coat. Red is the devils color you know!
When praying at the altar with someone and you don't remember their name include yourself in the prayer; i.e. "Lord we want to... Help us to... Lord it is our desire..." Or just simply remind them that you are an idiot and forgot their name and ask them what their name is (which is kinda' weird when you're praying anyway because God knows their name).
Always check your zipper before going on stage to preach. This leadership lesson is pretty self explanatory.
Similar to the last lesson... Always make sure your microphone is turned OFF before going to the restroom. Again no need to elaborate.
Don't pray for people who have already died (unless you are Catholic - I kid). I prayed for an elderly man's wife to be healed at a Wednesday night Bible study and I had forgotten that she had died the month before. Awwwkwwaard!
Leadership Lessons 5 of 5
I will conclude the leadership lessons with these little nuggets...
Don't throw away cards or gifts that people have given to you anywhere they might see it. When my mom was a young “pastor’s wife” she got in big trouble one time for throwing away a card that someone gave her and they found it in the trash at church. I think it was the same church where she got in trouble for wearing a red leather coat. Red is the devils color you know!
When praying at the altar with someone and you don't remember their name include yourself in the prayer; i.e. "Lord we want to... Help us to... Lord it is our desire..." Or just simply remind them that you are an idiot and forgot their name and ask them what their name is (which is kinda' weird when you're praying anyway because God knows their name).
Always check your zipper before going on stage to preach. This leadership lesson is pretty self explanatory.
Similar to the last lesson... Always make sure your microphone is turned OFF before going to the restroom. Again no need to elaborate.
Don't pray for people who have already died (unless you are Catholic - I kid). I prayed for an elderly man's wife to be healed at a Wednesday night Bible study and I had forgotten that she had died the month before. Awwwkwwaard!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Leadership Lessons 4 of 5
The leadership lessons just continue to poor out :-)...
Read books. It's amazing what books will do to our perspective and to our ability to grow as the kind of leaders that we should be. Read books that challenge your thinking, read books that aren't "Christian", read books that inspire you, read books that have the potential to take you to the next level in your leadership.
Take your days off and your vacations. Early in my ministry I would work on my days off and I did not take my vacations. I thought I was being a "good pastor" by showing others how hard I was working. People think that the pastor only works on Sunday morning, and I wanted to dispel that myth and let others see just how hard I was working, so I worked 60 and 70 hours per week and rarely took vacation time. No one stopped me, no one called me on it; I think they would have applauded my hard work as they lowered me 6 foot into the ground. Church attender #1 at the graveside, "Wasn't Kris a hard worker?" Church attender #2, "Yeah, too bad he's dead, where can we find the next sucker, to get to do all the work we should have been doing?" What ended up happening was I began to resent the church, I dreaded ministry, I started behaving like a martyr, I would let people know how many hours I had worked, how many home visits, how many phone calls, etc. just so they would affirm me. Those days are over, I gladly take every day off and vacation that I am allowed. I don't look to impress people with my "ministry stats".
Don't neglect your personal devotions/disciplines. As a pastor I spend a lot of time working with my Bible open (or on my computer screen) if I'm not careful I will take the time that I'm writing and editing sermons and believe that I've done "my time" with God. I see devotions as spending time with God just for relationship sake, not for more Bible knowledge or to get church work done. When working on sermons I'm thinking about communicating to others, not communicating with God. When my communication with God begins to suffer then my personal life begins to get skewed; i.e. I'm more susceptible to temptation, I get cranky with my family, my attitude becomes negative, I lack unction, etc. When I've spent time reading the Bible, talking with God, thinking about Him, fasting, singing, etc. it sets me up to be the kind of leader that others want to follow.
Never lose your moral authority. Pastors hold a position of authority within the church (unless you’re a Friends pastor - inside joke), that position of authority is simply given because of title, a paycheck, and a job description. Moral authority cannot be assigned by a man, it can only be earned over time. Moral authority can be lost in a moment but takes a lifetime to acquire or rebuild. A pastor loses all credibility when his moral authority has been compromised. Part of my job (and obligation as a Christ follower) is to maintain moral integrity, if that is gone your ministry begins to tank, you don't have to look very far within our culture to see the reality of this principle.
Leadership Lessons 4 of 5
The leadership lessons just continue to poor out :-)...
Read books. It's amazing what books will do to our perspective and to our ability to grow as the kind of leaders that we should be. Read books that challenge your thinking, read books that aren't "Christian", read books that inspire you, read books that have the potential to take you to the next level in your leadership.
Take your days off and your vacations. Early in my ministry I would work on my days off and I did not take my vacations. I thought I was being a "good pastor" by showing others how hard I was working. People think that the pastor only works on Sunday morning, and I wanted to dispel that myth and let others see just how hard I was working, so I worked 60 and 70 hours per week and rarely took vacation time. No one stopped me, no one called me on it; I think they would have applauded my hard work as they lowered me 6 foot into the ground. Church attender #1 at the graveside, "Wasn't Kris a hard worker?" Church attender #2, "Yeah, too bad he's dead, where can we find the next sucker, to get to do all the work we should have been doing?" What ended up happening was I began to resent the church, I dreaded ministry, I started behaving like a martyr, I would let people know how many hours I had worked, how many home visits, how many phone calls, etc. just so they would affirm me. Those days are over, I gladly take every day off and vacation that I am allowed. I don't look to impress people with my "ministry stats".
Don't neglect your personal devotions/disciplines. As a pastor I spend a lot of time working with my Bible open (or on my computer screen) if I'm not careful I will take the time that I'm writing and editing sermons and believe that I've done "my time" with God. I see devotions as spending time with God just for relationship sake, not for more Bible knowledge or to get church work done. When working on sermons I'm thinking about communicating to others, not communicating with God. When my communication with God begins to suffer then my personal life begins to get skewed; i.e. I'm more susceptible to temptation, I get cranky with my family, my attitude becomes negative, I lack unction, etc. When I've spent time reading the Bible, talking with God, thinking about Him, fasting, singing, etc. it sets me up to be the kind of leader that others want to follow.
Never lose your moral authority. Pastors hold a position of authority within the church (unless you’re a Friends pastor - inside joke), that position of authority is simply given because of title, a paycheck, and a job description. Moral authority cannot be assigned by a man, it can only be earned over time. Moral authority can be lost in a moment but takes a lifetime to acquire or rebuild. A pastor loses all credibility when his moral authority has been compromised. Part of my job (and obligation as a Christ follower) is to maintain moral integrity, if that is gone your ministry begins to tank, you don't have to look very far within our culture to see the reality of this principle.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Leadership Lessons 3 of 5
A few more of the leadership lessons I've learned over the last 10 years of pastoral ministry...
Major on the essentials, minor on the non-essentials. Essentials are those things that I would bleed over. They include things like: the authority of the Bible, the necessity of Christ for salvation, the deity of Christ, the atoning work of Christ on the cross, the reality of the resurrection, salvation by grace through faith, etc. As a leader needs to know where they fall on major issues. No one will follow a leader that sways with the wind.
Laugh and have fun. The ministry is filled with enough pain, challenges, and serious issues and there have to be equal amounts of joy or your batteries will run dry. Some of my best memories of ministry are when I am just laughing and being silly with my staff or others in the church. I gravitate towards being sarcastic and I think my staff is starting to get used to my humor. I've been known to jump out of the shadows and scare others or play a harmless practical joke. Adding humor to your conversations with others endears them to you and a unique bond is created because you have shared a laugh.
Be yourself. People, especially young people are very good at spotting phonies. We have a world that lives in the make-believe and it longs for authenticity. Pretending to be someone that you are not is way too tiring and at some point you will be exposed as a fraud and lose your credibility with others.
Lead confidently. Confidence doesn't mean that you have all the answers; confidence is trusting in the One who is the answer. If you are in ministry you have been called by God Himself and that should fill you with confidence; not in yourself but in the call.
Don't be afraid to make decisions that will fail. Failure is not the worst thing that can happen to an organization lack of stepping out on faith could be detrimental. I hate it when I fail, I hate myself even more when I don't do what should have been done.
Leadership Lessons 3 of 5
A few more of the leadership lessons I've learned over the last 10 years of pastoral ministry...
Major on the essentials, minor on the non-essentials. Essentials are those things that I would bleed over. They include things like: the authority of the Bible, the necessity of Christ for salvation, the deity of Christ, the atoning work of Christ on the cross, the reality of the resurrection, salvation by grace through faith, etc. As a leader needs to know where they fall on major issues. No one will follow a leader that sways with the wind.
Laugh and have fun. The ministry is filled with enough pain, challenges, and serious issues and there have to be equal amounts of joy or your batteries will run dry. Some of my best memories of ministry are when I am just laughing and being silly with my staff or others in the church. I gravitate towards being sarcastic and I think my staff is starting to get used to my humor. I've been known to jump out of the shadows and scare others or play a harmless practical joke. Adding humor to your conversations with others endears them to you and a unique bond is created because you have shared a laugh.
Be yourself. People, especially young people are very good at spotting phonies. We have a world that lives in the make-believe and it longs for authenticity. Pretending to be someone that you are not is way too tiring and at some point you will be exposed as a fraud and lose your credibility with others.
Lead confidently. Confidence doesn't mean that you have all the answers; confidence is trusting in the One who is the answer. If you are in ministry you have been called by God Himself and that should fill you with confidence; not in yourself but in the call.
Don't be afraid to make decisions that will fail. Failure is not the worst thing that can happen to an organization lack of stepping out on faith could be detrimental. I hate it when I fail, I hate myself even more when I don't do what should have been done.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Leadership Lessons 2 of 5
I'm continuing a series of posts looking at some random leadership principles I've learned in 10 years of ministry...
When being torn apart by someone who is spitting venom at you - simply agree with them that you are a screwed up mess. I’ve stopped a couple of individuals cold in their tracks when I just simply and authentically agree and say, “You’re right, I’m an idiot”. That's always fun! My mentor, Pastor Paul Snyder, who has gone to heaven, used to say, “I don’t need to defend myself. If what is being said is not true then someone will come to my defense. If they don’t then what is being said may be the truth.”
Keep your yap shut. Fortunately, I've always been good at keeping secrets. Some ministers talk too much and that will always come back and bite them in the rear. Private conversations behind closed doors need to remain that way. There have been times I've shared with my wife but that is only when I need some guidance; I'm blessed to have a pastor's wife who does not gossip, some ministers are not so blessed.
Find what you do well and nail it! I stink at home visits and hospital visits. I'm not even that great at counseling, I get a little short with people who are being idiots. They don't motivate me and I dreaded doing them for many many years. It is not that I don't love the individuals or want to shepherd them, but I wasn't wired for one on one stimulating conversation and pastoral care. I will visit people in their homes when invited or if there is a spiritual need, but babysitting or fulfilling a traditional pastoral expectation has never been my gig. I was wired to communicate the Bible effectively. That's where my passion is, I love spending time crafting, editing, and delivering sermons in a way that holds people's attention. I love to take the complex and make it painfully simple; I get fired up when people take a step of faith and apply God's word or step across the line of faith and make Jesus their Lord and Savior. When this church released me to do what I was wired for, everyone began to benefit. I'm nowhere near where I want to be with my communication skills but you can be assured that I continue to work on being the best I can be.
Find out who the power people are. Every church has people who hold a position of influence that are not on staff. A little tip for discovering the major players are to pay attention in meetings. When a decision is to be made watch where the heads turn. The person that is being looked at is the leader. For good or for bad, knowing the power players will help you know who you need to run ideas by before the meeting begins.
Catch fish, feed sheep, don't corral old goats. Thank you Rick Warren for this piece of advice. Some people will leave the church as a form of leverage. They want their way and if they don't get it then they are gone. I'd list the reasons that I've seen people leave our church but you would think that I was pulling your leg, so I won't bother. Each time someone leaves the church I have to work at not personalizing it - even if their reason is that they hate me. I will not please everybody; Jesus didn't please everyone either. When there is conflict between me and and individual I will deal with that conflict when approached but I don't play games and chase down people who want to leverage their church attendance to get my attention. If we have people that claim to be Christians I never really feel too bad because they are saved, I will see them in heaven latter. If there is someone who leaves the church and is not saved that bugs me because they are the people that we are trying to minister to.
Leadership Lessons 2 of 5
I'm continuing a series of posts looking at some random leadership principles I've learned in 10 years of ministry...
When being torn apart by someone who is spitting venom at you - simply agree with them that you are a screwed up mess. I’ve stopped a couple of individuals cold in their tracks when I just simply and authentically agree and say, “You’re right, I’m an idiot”. That's always fun! My mentor, Pastor Paul Snyder, who has gone to heaven, used to say, “I don’t need to defend myself. If what is being said is not true then someone will come to my defense. If they don’t then what is being said may be the truth.”
Keep your yap shut. Fortunately, I've always been good at keeping secrets. Some ministers talk too much and that will always come back and bite them in the rear. Private conversations behind closed doors need to remain that way. There have been times I've shared with my wife but that is only when I need some guidance; I'm blessed to have a pastor's wife who does not gossip, some ministers are not so blessed.
Find what you do well and nail it! I stink at home visits and hospital visits. I'm not even that great at counseling, I get a little short with people who are being idiots. They don't motivate me and I dreaded doing them for many many years. It is not that I don't love the individuals or want to shepherd them, but I wasn't wired for one on one stimulating conversation and pastoral care. I will visit people in their homes when invited or if there is a spiritual need, but babysitting or fulfilling a traditional pastoral expectation has never been my gig. I was wired to communicate the Bible effectively. That's where my passion is, I love spending time crafting, editing, and delivering sermons in a way that holds people's attention. I love to take the complex and make it painfully simple; I get fired up when people take a step of faith and apply God's word or step across the line of faith and make Jesus their Lord and Savior. When this church released me to do what I was wired for, everyone began to benefit. I'm nowhere near where I want to be with my communication skills but you can be assured that I continue to work on being the best I can be.
Find out who the power people are. Every church has people who hold a position of influence that are not on staff. A little tip for discovering the major players are to pay attention in meetings. When a decision is to be made watch where the heads turn. The person that is being looked at is the leader. For good or for bad, knowing the power players will help you know who you need to run ideas by before the meeting begins.
Catch fish, feed sheep, don't corral old goats. Thank you Rick Warren for this piece of advice. Some people will leave the church as a form of leverage. They want their way and if they don't get it then they are gone. I'd list the reasons that I've seen people leave our church but you would think that I was pulling your leg, so I won't bother. Each time someone leaves the church I have to work at not personalizing it - even if their reason is that they hate me. I will not please everybody; Jesus didn't please everyone either. When there is conflict between me and and individual I will deal with that conflict when approached but I don't play games and chase down people who want to leverage their church attendance to get my attention. If we have people that claim to be Christians I never really feel too bad because they are saved, I will see them in heaven latter. If there is someone who leaves the church and is not saved that bugs me because they are the people that we are trying to minister to.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Leadership Lessons 1 of 5
This august marked my 10 year anniversary in "full-time pastoral ministry". I've learned so much by watching others - I've watched my father pastor churches the first 20 years of my life and learned what works and doesn't work by his good example. I've been blessed to be ministered to by another great man of God who has since gone to be with the Lord, Paul Snyder. Paul was our pastor at the Riverton Friends church when Tammy and I were first married and I rededicated my life to Christ. I got great, practical, instruction at Barclay College. The professors made sure that I was sufficiently challenged and equipped to be the best minister I could be. And then there is the experience of being "in the trenches" for 10 years.
I'm begining a series of posts of some random leadership lessons that I've learned...
When entering the ministry make sure your spouse is on board. When I first told Pastor Paul that I thought God was calling me to be a minister, the first thing he did was turn to Tammy and ask, "Are you okay with this?" He said, "The two of you need to be on the same page. Ministry is challenging and you will need each other." So true. If I had a wife fighting my call and the demands and occasional time pressures that go with the position then I don't think I would have ever made it this long in the ministry.
Send thank you notes as often as possible. I've sent thank you notes to people who have told me, "I've never gotten a thank you note from a pastor in my life." It means so much to people to be reminded that they matter. I don't do this near as often as I should. It seems that I hit periods where I do this great and then slack off but when I remember I make sure to let people know how much I appreciate them.
When someone is laid on your mind/heart make contact with them quickly. I can't tell you the number of times that God will bring someone to my mind that I need to make contact with. Many times they just need a word of encouragement or a prayer.
More to come...
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