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My Visit to Sterling College
April 19, 2012 – 9:00 pm
I spoke yesterday at Sterling College in Sterling, KS. It’s a 3 hour drive from Topeka. It sounds worse than what it really is.
The official by-line of Sterling College is a Christ-centered college with a mission “to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith.” Having been on my fair share of Christian college campuses – I was dubious. Most campuses that I have experienced had great intentions of being a Christ-centered college but ended up morphing into yet another Christian sub-culture “ghetto” of rules, simple answers, head-in-the-sand understanding of culture.
Through a friend of a friend (Jim Turner) I had already met Dr. Dewey, a Vice President of the college. I’d been impressed. Articulate. Heart for culture. Desire to impact world – through business, art, science – with Christ. BUT one adminstrator a college does not make. Or something like that. It was going to be nice to actually be on campus.
Met the president the moment we got on campus. Dr. Paul Maurer. I don’t have a lot of experience meeting college presidents – only have met two…well, three counting Dr. “Please call me Paul” Maurer. So I don’t know if this is a normal experience or not. I could have sat and talked with him all day. Sports, academics, theology, art, current events – the exact opposite of the stereotypical college president – or at least what I was expecting a college president to be like. I liked him. Engaging, thoughtful, articulate – I could go on. The point is – I can see this man speaking just as easily to a 19 year old freshman from Hays, Kansas as the governor of the state. Both would feel like they are his honored guest.
His only fault? He’s a Cincinnati Bearcat fan. For the life of me, I can’t figure that out. I’d like to at some point in the future dig deeper into his psyche to see what’s up with that. Hard to believe that he is a fan of Thug University. Hopefully his time in Kansas will convert him to the real basketball university. Rock Chalk.
Spoke at chapel. It’s hard to tell how that went. I was told that it went well but then again, they have to say that. Hard to tell with the whole required chapel thing. Let me just say this – God has an incredible sense of humor. I spent most of my college career trying to get out of chapel only to now be the speaker at a required chapel.
After chapel, got to hang with a group of students along with the president, and Dr. Dewey and Dr. Kerr – he is the Director of Academic Affairs. In other words, he hires faculty. But, his second claim to fame is the flower-cutting coach. It’s a long story that I don’t think I can really explain to its full potential. If you ever get to Sterling, ask for Dr. Kerr and ask him about it. Besides a good laugh, I’m fairly positive he’d tell you the rest of the story.
I think I loved the student interaction the most. Wish we would have had more time with the students. Even in an informal arena. Good to hear their perspective of the campus.
Lunch with the staff and faculty. I realize that on trips like this, the college makes sure they put their best foot forward – playing to their strengths. What Sterling lacks in campus resources such as buildings and eye candy, they seem to more than make up for with their faculty and staff. Not just incredibly smart and articulate, but humorous and insightful. They aren’t locked in their ‘ivory towers’ but seem very aware of the culture around them. More on this later.
Quick Observations and Impressions:
The Good
Had more than one student use this phrase – “It’s a Christ-centered college…not a Bible College.” When pushed to explain what that meant, he said “I’m given information with multiple viewpoints, one of which is a Christ-centered worldview. It’s then up to me what I want to do with that information.”
Nice distinction. And one I appreciate. This kind of education actually prepares students for life after college, not just brainwashes them to one certain point of view.
The college has a 94% medical school acceptance rate of their pre-med majors. That’s ridiculous and unexpected. Their debate team ended the season ranked 12th in the nation. That’s alongside every university – D1 or otherwise – in the nation. That further proves my point above.
The Not So Good
It’s a private school so you can figure that it’s a bit more expensive that KU or K-State. I didn’t get the stats on how many of the students get scholarships. I’m guessing it’s fairly high as most small private colleges try to help out as much as they can to get students on campus.
I’m not going to lie to you – it’s a small campus. Very small. Around 700 students. It’s in Sterling, Kansas – 30 minutes from anywhere. Coming from Denver – it’s a shock to the system to realize how small it is. I don’t think that affects the quality of the staff or education these students are receiving.
The Surprise
There appeared to be the absence of a Christian bubble/sub-culture. Again – I was on campus for less than 8 hours. So my perception may not be reality. But the people and staff that I met would be people that I’d hang out with. And I’m definitely NOT the bubble.
Maybe they were just being nice and kind but maybe they weren’t either. Maybe that’s just who they are. There seemed to be a freedom for the students to deconstruct their faith, ask questions and explore truth without the harsh judgement that normally comes within certain Christian circles.
One more thing about the faculty and staff – and I’m not naive enough to think that they all are this way – but they seem to really enjoy students. There is nothing worse than a prof that is more in love with the subject than they are people. I didn’t get that impression with this crew. Granted – I didn’t meet them all.
Overall, I had a great time on campus. I regret that I was so caught up in the visit, I didn’t take pictures. Hopefully, I’ll be invited again and I’ll take pictures then.
Elway Proving He Belongs
March 20, 2012 – 6:30 pm
In just 14 months as VP of Football Operations, Elway has proven not only does he belong as an executive but he is going to be one of the best. And it proves that the whole Indianapolis thing back in ’83 was personal. Good night – to stick it to the same team again. It would have only been better if Cleveland had been in the running.
One huge question has been answered over these last few months. Why didn’t Elway joint the Broncos sooner?
Two words – Mike Shanahan. Can you imagine Shanahan allowing anyone have this much leeway and freedom in making a roster? Can you imagine Shanny talking through decisions with anyone? Or him flexing his offense back and forth? Or drafting heavy defense? I loved Shanahan’s time with the Broncos. He did Denver proud and is still one of the greatest offensive minds ever. But it came with a pretty good sized ego that wouldn’t listen to anyone else. He would have home runs on offense only to be undone by a defense he drafted. Elway has proven not only will he listen to his coach and his GM, but he’s not afraid of changing anything if it will get them closer to winning a Super Bowl.
What will remain unanswered is why in the world did Bowlen put us through the McDaniels era?
Elway is showing not only an incredible eye for talent, but that he knows exactly the kind of team that he and John Fox want to build. For all the records Elway holds, he just seems to only care about how many more Super Bowls he can add. And he only wants those kinds of people in the building with him.
The Manning signing is huge. Even if Manning comes back only 70 to 80%, it’s a huge win. With Manning, free agents are going to want to play with him in Denver. The Tebow experiment can be over in the only way it could possibly end without causing mass revolt. Everyone loved Tebow the person. Watching him throw in the playoffs was painful. I’m sure it was not lost on Elway as he watched Brady dismantle his team.
Another thing not to be lost in all of this is how Elway has handled some potentially horrific situations. He allowed Orton to walk. Did it cost the Broncos a draft pick? Maybe but he didn’t drag out the drama between Orton and Tebow, allowing Orton a chance to just walk away and find himself a landing space. Same thing with Brady Quinn. Although I think Elway let Quinn walk because once again – he doesn’t want any of that drama at the QB position. So Quinn will take his GQ loving self to Kansas City.
I’m guessing he will attempt to trade Tebow. Getting something for him should not be incredibly difficult. The guy will fill a stadium and sell jerseys. So if you are a team that is a few years away – make a pitch on Tebow. But if the trades don’t happen, I’m guessing Elway won’t let the drama last very long. He let Tebow play, he allowed him to show off for the league and he’ll at the very least do his best to get Tebow to a place that will use him.
The future looks bright for the Broncos.
A Not So Super Week
February 6, 2012 – 9:30 am
Let me get this out of the way – I thought the worse possible Super Bowl matchup was New England vs. New York. Two franchises that most people love to hate and picking between the two was like choosing between broccoli and cauliflower.
However, I decided from the minute the Ravens missed that kick that I was going to pull for the Giants and I’m so glad they defeated the evil Patriots. Multiple reasons.
First, the arrogance/cluelessness of Belicheck. To cut a player the night before the Super Bowl just because you can and is just pointless. It’s heartless. That player practiced all week, was ready to play, had probably got his family all situated and then to get called to the coaches room less than 24 hours before the game to get cut? Add it to the long litany of Belicheck stories where he does something just to show everybody that he is still the boss. Remember him fining players for being late to team meetings during the blizzards last year?
Second, Belicheck hasn’t won a Super Bowl and has lost 4 out of 6 playoff games since he got caught cheating by video taping opposing teams pre-game walkthrough. McDaniels brought that act with him to Denver and it got him fired. It didn’t help him win either but that is another post.
Third, The Manning Drama. You think your family has drama? How’d you like to be a Manning? Actually…I’d like it very much but that is not important right now. Eli has always been in the shadow of big brother Peyton and daddy Archie. This was supposed to be his week – 2nd Super Bowl, opportunity to have 2 rings, the confirmation that maybe Peyton was Eli’s brother instead of the other way around.
Instead, we have Peyton-Irsay war of the roses breaking out. Peyton started it with the “we’re walking on eggshells, everything has changed” comments. Irsay firing back with his “protect the Horseshoe” and calling Peyton a politician. To top all of that off, Peyton announces that he has been cleared to play (further proving Irsay’s point) while his team says — ‘uhhhh, that’s news to us.’
The bottom line – it was a lot of incredibly selfish behavior from Irsay and Manning during a week that should have been about their city and his brother. Apparently, neither one got the memo.
I didn’t really like anything either party said all week long – speaking of Irsay and Peyton. All of Irsay’s talk about the “Horseshoe” was just pathetic. There is no “Horseshoe” without Peyton Manning. The Irsay family had gutted and killed the Colts until Manning walks in and gives them double-digit wins every single year. There is no Lucas Field, Super Bowl, full stadium, or anything remotely successful about the Colts without Manning. To paint Manning as just another player to wear the uniform is wrong and petty.
However, Peyton seemed to forget that Irsay made him a very, very, very, rich man even though he didn’t play a down this year. It was Irsay that didn’t move Peyton to injured reserved and thus allowed him to collect his full salary this year. That should have in the least bought some public civility between Peyton and the Irsays. Apparently 28 million doesn’t buy what it used to buy.
(And as a sidenote – the Colts needed to make some drastic changes – despite what Peyton thinks. The team just went 2-14, looked woefully out-coached, and had no depth in any position on the field. That’s an epic fail of epic proportion and Irsay was completely justified in dropping the hammer on the coach and general manager.)
Back to the Giants — maybe now the New York media will believe that Eli Manning is not a bust and Coughlin can keep his job for a year or two. How Marvin Lewis keeps his job and Tom Coughlin seems to have to fight for his every season is beyond my understanding.
And to Eli’s credit – he has not changed at all over these years. Just the same old, calm, nothing phases me guy.
The commercials were not so Super this year either. Hands down the M&M and Dog Burying The Cat Doritos commercials were the best. The rest – mweh.
Halftime show? Great stage – loved the video/production of that. But it wasn’t incredible, wasn’t terrible. Then we got the “We just spent millions of dollars on this 20 minute half-time to sell our albums but we want World Peace ending.” Complete with MIA giving the world the middle finger.
Really? Leave to the music industry to completely miss the point of the Super Bowl halftime once again. IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU!!! You can have wardrobe malfunctions and political statements and whatever else you want at YOUR OWN CONCERT!! Not at the Super Bowl. I wish they would just give up on the music scene and try something else. Cirque De Solia, maybe? Dancing penguins?
The only thing super about the Super Bowl as the last 3 minutes of the game. And maybe that’s how it is supposed to be…but then again, watching the Patriots celebrate New York scoring a touchdown with a minute left in the game while the Giants looked stress was surreal.
And while I’m disappointed with the Super Bowl, the only thing worse is having no football until August. Sigh….. Welcome to the offseason.
Dinner at the Firehouse
February 2, 2012 – 11:46 pm
The Chaplains were invited to grab dinner last Thursday night with the fire fighters at Station 11.
Oh.
My.
Gosh.
It has been a long time since I’ve laughed that hard. Growing up around firemen, I’ve learned that every station has a story. Some of the stories are the same – getting in a wreck on the way to a wreck, not quite having the garage door up before you completely pull out of the bay, teaching the rookies some crazy technique that will help them fight fires better that really isn’t a technique.
But they are still funny. And firemen are great story tellers. They know how to ‘spin a yarn.’
They also know how to cook. Am really honored to have the opportunity to serve with these men.
JoPa’s Lesson on Legacies
January 27, 2012 – 10:36 pm
This image of Joe Paterno’s shoes originally appeared on latimes.com
This originally appeared on whillschurch.org as an weekly evo.
My first memory of Joe Paterno was the 1979 Sugar Bowl. Alabama beat Penn State to be the National Champions but I vividly remember those high-water pants, black shoes and thick glasses. I think I made fun of him when my dad told me “Son, Bear Bryant is the greatest football coach to ever walk a sideline but that guy right there is a half-step behind him.” That is high praise from an Alabama fan and Penn State would become a team I loved rooting for – as long as they weren’t playing Alabama.
We have all watched Joe Paterno walk the sidelines over these 46 years. Pants rolled up to avoid getting them dirty and to save money on dry cleaning. Glasses that only he could get away with wearing. That high-pitched raspy voice piercing thru the noise of a stadium full of fanatics. We’ve heard the stories. He goes to the Trustees and demands them to RAISE the entrance requirements for Penn State. He lived in the same modest house for 45 years with a listed phone number. He gives the university 3.5 million dollars to build a new library. Penn State has never even been close to a NCAA violation. Players talk of his generosity and life lessons they learned while eating at his house.
The numbers are staggering.
2 National Championships
46 years as the head coach at Penn State.
40 winning seasons.
409 victories, most by any Division 1 head coach – yes, even more than Bear Bryant.
He was more than a coach. He was the university’s conscience.
At least, that was the image we were led to believe.
Every story on Paterno now starts with the end of his life – fired from Penn State for his role in the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Is this how he will forever be remembered?
I’m conflicted. I don’t think he should be totally exonerated, excused from all wrongdoing. Nor is he anywhere close to the tyrant that is Sandusky. Figuring out exactly where on that scale Paterno should be was never going to be easy. Now it may be next to impossible because he’s gone.
44 days between his firing and his death.
There will be no retrospective interview five or ten years from now with him. There’ll be no cool 30 for 30 film with a happy ending. Just this – a sharp pain of disappointments and questions.
1 act of cowardice.
Or was it ignorance? Or confusion? Or humiliation? Does it matter? The 1 will be remembered more than the 409.
Legacies are fragile.
The minute you start thinking about your legacy and protecting it is exactly the minute it begins to shatter. The minute a legacy becomes the point, it’s over. Disaster. Compromise. At that point, the legacy is really no longer the point. PROTECTING the IMAGE of the legacy is the point. And that is a different beast altogether.
I wonder if this is what happened with Joe Paterno. I wonder if those around him started thinking this way as well.
The 1 is remembered more than the 409.
Whether it should be this way or not is irrelevant. It IS this way. It always HAS been this way. 1 bite from the fruit. 1 act of murder. 1 strike at the rock keeps Moses out of the promised land. 1 laugh earns Sarah a sharp rebuke. 1 doubt mutes Zacharias for 9 months. 1 kiss betrays a friend and a Savior.
We all have our 1 moment. It’s why I will continue to sing the old song:
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.
Prepare The Heart and You Prepare The Room
January 24, 2012 – 9:40 am
We’ve been trying a new ‘discipline’ in our worship services the last couple of weeks at Western Hill – we’re calling it ‘prepare the room.’
Rick actually came up with the phrase after going to a worship conference last year. He observed that at the conference before any worship service, there was always a few minutes at the start where they prepared the room. Could have been a video or a practice or silence – but it was a prepared, purposeful pause at the start of the service to remind themselves that they were about to engage with the Holy God in worship.
What does that look like in a local congregation that meets every single Sunday morning?
And no – the Opening Song doesn’t really count as “prepare the room.” See Northpoint’s video below to see what I’m talking about. So last week we started with the video below followed by another video depicting Psalm 31 – My times are in your hands.
The feedback has been pretty positive. Not everyone got the “artsy” rendition of Psalm 31, but everyone loved the reminder to get prepared to worship.
It’s a new tradition, new spiritual discipline of worship for us at Western Hills – prepare the room. And it’s rubbing off in other areas as well. I find myself walking into a meeting or a lunch – pausing in the car to ‘prepare the room.’
Prepare The Room
Psalm 31//My Times video by Jakub Blank
I hate Religion, love Jesus Video
January 18, 2012 – 9:10 am
I actually stumbled on this video the day it was uploaded – January 10. I sent it to our creative team before it went all viral. Now it is everywhere with different people sounding off on it. We ultimately decided to NOT use it mainly because it didn’t exactly fit the series we were in and we thought it would work better in a small group setting.
I’m showing the video below.
Overall, I like the video. I don’t interpret this guy as trashing the Church. Some will disagree. Which is part of the problem of the video, the shortcomings of the video. I really have 3 issues with the clip – that I think would be great for a small group discussion.
First, love the “voting Republican doesn’t make you Christian” slap at the very beginning of the video. Very true. But I wouldn’t have stopped there. Jesus had words for the Zealots and the Pharisees. Anything that compromised Jesus as the solution to the problems of the world, Jesus had a quote for. Politics, education, religion.
So my question/issue to him is this – does he feel that way about all political parties? Or is it angst just reserved toward the Republicans? Democrat, Libertarian or anyone else who’s hope for our culture is in the political system is in the same boat (albeit the opposite side) as the Republicans. To limit the sting of his words to one party is doing exactly what he is railing about.
Second, I don’t think Jesus was thinking of me on the cross. That is a very ego/man-centric understanding of what is going on at the cross. The cross is all about God’s character and glory, not the value of us. Yes, we get the benefit of the transaction of sacrifice – no doubt about that. But God was thinking of Himself – his promise and vision of a world without death and sin. And dieing for the consequence was the only way that was going to happen without blowing it all up and starting over.
So I think God was thinking about that. Not me.
Lastly, I can see where he comes across as an anti-church, anti-organized anything guy. But as I read his other comments, I don’t think that is him at all. I think he cares deeply about the church and wants to be a part of a movement that sees church get closer to being a Grace Station instead of Code Enforcement. I think there are glimpses of that in the video but not overtly so. I hear a guy who loves the concept of the church as the Bride of Christ but hating the examples and experiences he’s had with her so far.
And that I think is the real shortcoming of the video. There isn’t a deep, holistic handling of the issues he brings up. They make great soundbites. At times he sounds like a prophet…statements of profound truth and conviction. Then he takes an abrupt left turn leaving that conversation to sound like an angry teenager screaming shallow, pithy cliches at his parents that he himself doesn’t really understand. There are some nuanced, deeper opportunities he missed. Instead of pushing us into deeper conversations about theology or the church and what transformation COULD look like, he’ll take the quick exit to hit another platitude.
But then again, that might have been the point of the whole exercise anyway. Maybe his point was to generate conversations and dissonance with people who otherwise wouldn’t think twice about their own understanding of grace, church, Jesus, or religion.
Like I said earlier – I like the video. I’ll keep my eyes out for the next piece they produce. My hunch is they will get better and better. I think it’s worth a watch and even worth some discussion time in a small group. I think it would spark some deeper conversations of what is the church, what marks Christianity different from all other religions, and what exactly is my role in all of that.
Here’s the video:
King, Warrior, Lover, Friend
January 17, 2012 – 10:34 am
I’m going thru Men’s Frat with some guys at the church. (We meet at 6am on Tuesday mornings – consider this your invite.)
Before I get to the thing that hit me this morning – I got a glimpse of Bill Smith in the video this morning. That 2-second glance of his white head just sent a flood of memories to me. Who is Bill Smith, you ask? Bill was the host for Men’s Fraternity in Little Rock when Robert Lewis was teaching it. He’d start the morning off and moved guys into their small groups.
But more than that, Bill Smith was Rowland’s (my best friend) dad. He’d swing by the church office and take us to lunch when we were on staff together in Little Rock. The Smith family was always generous with us in terms of holidays and get-togethers. We were always invited and Bill was always there. His distinct voice and sense of humor filling the room.
I got to know Bill Smith in his ‘twilight’ years as cancer tore at his body. It never got to his mind or his heart for discipling and mentoring men. Bill gave me a fishing lure signed by Bill Dance and a signed copy of a devotional book that he wrote. I remember him telling pulling me off to the side one day and telling me – you’re a good friend to Rowland. Keep him out of trouble. I asked him how in the world did he expect me to do that when he couldn’t? That great laugh kicked in.
A neat moment this morning.
The 4 faces of manhood: King, Lover, Warrior, and Friend. A man needs to have balance in each and balance among them all. Robert did a great job defining what each of these faces look like in the scriptures but his words of what happens when they are out of balance are sticking with me:
King – too much is a TYRANT, too little is ABDICATION.
Lover – too much becomes a CRITIC, too little is COLD.
Warrior – too much is DESTROYER, too little is WIMP.
Friend – too much is USER, too little is LONER.
As we went around the circle this morning, one of my heroes asked the question – “I wonder where our wives would put us on this scale? That would give us a true picture of where we are really at.”
Great time this morning…even if I was a little late.
Multiplying Your Ministry
January 10, 2012 – 10:37 am
This is the first part of some training I’m taking my leaders through at Western Hills. Here are the notes to part 1.
Couple of thoughts as we begin on this topic of multiplication.
First, when we speak of multiplying our ministry, what we are really talking about is multiplying people. People advance the Kingdom of God, not programs. Programs will and should come and go. Programs are tools to be used and evaluated and changed. Their effectiveness will change from year to year.
People on the other hand are the constant. It is people that we are called to multiply and make disciples. The life change stories, the relationships – these are what we are talking about when we talk about multiplying ministry.
Second, this is essential if we really want to be an outward-focused church that functions as the hands and feet of Christ to our community. ESSENTIAL. Any church or follower of Jesus that takes seriously the words of Jesus MUST effectively and consistently multiply their ministry. It is what is at the core of the Great Commission (Matthew 28).
Quick Exercise #1
List all the stuff you are involved in. School stuff, family stuff, church stuff, work stuff. Just a quick list that demands time of you other than specifically your job.
Keep that list handy – we are going to come back to it.
The 3 Circles Of Multiplication
I think there are 3 concentric circles that we need to think about when it comes to multiplication. No particular order, all are needed and important. Ministry, People, and Process.
Circle 1- Ministry WORTH multiplying
This is the program side of the equation. Lot’s of questions and issues we can deal with in this circle. Is it relevant? Is it fun? Is the effort it takes to pull it off worth it? Is it making a difference? Is it producing what we want it to?
But the fundamental, core question that MUST be dealt with is this: Is the focus of the ministry the same as God’s focus?
God’s focus is clear. Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Love God, Love Others, Serve All, Make Disciples who do the same. At Western Hills we articulate these as – Love, live and serve.
Just pay careful attention to question. It’s not “are there elements that support or participate in love, live and serve?” Almost every program does that in a church but not every program has it as its focus. The question is what is the real focus of that ministry? Is it reaching the lost, making disciples, serving the community? Time to be brutally honest.
Hold on to this question — put it right over here. Let me quickly hit the other two circles.
Circle 2 – People READY to Multiply
Should you multiply yourself in every person inside your ministry?
Harsh reality is NO. Every person deserves to be ministered to. NOT every person is ready to be multiplied into leadership. 2 Timothy 2:2 – invest in able, qualified people.
Some are not ready because of character issues, giftedness, competency, season of life.
Different roles will have different expectations.
The core question in this circle is this:
Do you invest in potential OR do you look for provenness?
Circle 3 – Process WORTH Multiplying
Key Question: Is there a simple yet proven process that moves people from spectator to participant to multiplier?
Lots of other questions go into this circle. Do you have processes that protect the people AND the ministry in case things go upside down? Do you have clearly defined roles and leaders in that process? Do you have markers that let you know you are heading the right direction? What skills and competencies are you looking for?
To successfully and consistently multiply leaders, all three of these circles need to have these key questions answered with definite action points.
The point tonight is not to answer all these questions or even flesh out all of these circles but rather to give us a 35,000k foot viewpoint of this process. To begin to start thinking in these terms so that as we add these pieces to the puzzle, multiplication can start happening.
Quick Exercise #2: The Importance of Ministry Worth Multiplying Circle
Take that list of activities that you created at the start of the evening.
Ask for volunteer.
There is a great opportunity to tutor at risk kids after school, using any curriculum I want. I can even use the scriptures for character studies but I need someone to help me, are you in?
First – any opportunity that I’m offered I’m first going to my list of stuff that I’m already involved in and I’m asking myself – is this opportunity WORTH fitting into my life? Either cramming it into an already packed life OR by saying NO to something else. WORTH is relatively defined.
I’m also going to evaluate my list of activities with this question – is this WORTH doing?
Second – as a leader – I want to make sure I define WORTH like God has defined WORTH. This is a love, live and serve opportunity. This is a Great Commandment/Great Commission opportunity.
My job as a leader is NOT to guilt people into showing up or participating. That won’t last and it’s not of God. My job is to be a champion of what God is doing. To point out the already there eternal value and worth of the opportunity.
Quick Exercise #3 – Take a ministry you are in and walk thru 3 circles answering key questions.
Example: Men’s Fraternity
Circle 1 – focus is to disciple men into being spiritual leaders who love, live and serve. YES, worth it.
Circle 2 – Need a key PROVEN leader for director/champion position. Same vision, passion for discipleship. Deep Christ-follower, self-starter, available to do it, teachable, high character, honest, not perfect, vulnerable.
Found the guy – now ready to start.
Circle 3 — Process proven to work
Other churches have their trophies, we don’t…yet. We have process we want to try, run with it and evaluate as we go.
Nor do we have a process to replace Director…yet. We will need to address this if this is going to make it beyond just one season. Every ministry needs to wrestle with that question otherwise focus becomes the program and filling slots.
4 Foundational Multiplication Principles
1. Make micro decisions with macro viewpoint of does this advance God’s Kingdom?
2. Call people NORTH. Even yourself.
Ask more of people than where they are. Don’t ever demand more of those around you than yourself. Keep Love, Live, Serve in the forefront.
3. Something is better than nothing.
It’s easier to steer than start. GO! Starting somewhere and changing it later is better than doing nothing until you have the perfect plan. We know what doing nothing produces – nothing.
4. Invest in PEOPLE, not the program.
Programs have shelf life. Our job isn’t to keep the program running. Our calling is to make disciples who love, live, and serve.
Open Questions, Comments, and Thoughts
Which circle should we start with? Depends. All three need to be developed and dealt with but program and condition of culture will have a HUGE role in determining which circle to tackle first.
Key entry points into ministries is PEOPLE (relationship) and MINISTRY (program) but long term investment will only happen if all three are developed.
PROCESS is the most neglected circle in most churches. They spend time and energy running around to fill slots instead of developing people. Must change in order to be a multiplying church.
A Different Kind Of Appointment
December 21, 2011 – 11:40 pm
I fell off a ladder a couple of weeks ago and in the process of ridiculously embarrassing myself, got a cool bruise on my rear end and a pinched nerve in the neck.
I’d been going to the chiropractor and was having some improvement when the workman comp people called and said stop going there and go to this other doctor. So I did. But I wasn’t happy about it. You can guess some of my thoughts – waste of time, money…blah,blah.
My appointment was for 12:30 today. I showed up early for the paperwork. Was in the room at 12:30. By 1:15 there was still no doctor. 1:20 – no doctor.
I tweeted my complaint for the world to read. I thought about leaving. I’ve got things to do, people to see.
She came in the room at 1:25.
First, she was incredibly nice and personal. Nice experience after having to wait an hour. She asked the question…
“So, Mr. English, where do you work?”
“Western Hills Baptist Church.”
“What do you do there?”
“I’m one of the pastors on staff.”
“Really? You the Senior Pastor?”
“Guilty as charged.”
“I’m curious as to what kind of Baptist church would hire an earring wearing pastor?”
“One that is really learning how to love Jesus.”
We talked for a while.
A Unitarian and a Baptist talking Jesus in a Catholic hospital.
You can’t make this stuff up.
As she left the room, God poked me. You’d think at some point I would get it. You would think that the light would come on reminding me that my schedule really isn’t my schedule. It’s His. It was like he was sarcastically asking me – is it okay if I steal an hour or two of your day in exchange for an opportunity for you to tell my story?
You know that it is, Father. You just may have to remind me to see it thru your eyes…not mine.
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