Why You Need to Lower the Bar for Leadership

Why You Need to Lower the Bar for Leadership – JD Payne

For too long we have been guilty of making church planting a ministry for only the high capacity, high caliber leaders.  These are the individuals that I describe as the 8-, 9-, 10-caliber leaders.  Now, while I am all for equipping and mobilizing such church planters (I have done this many times over the past decade.), the reality is that such leaders are a minority in the Body of Christ.  They are greatly needed for Kingdom advancement–but still a minority.
The examples prized in church planting today, particularly in the North American context, are generally reproducible only by this minority. The ecclesiology and missiology, while mostly not lacking biblical support, is often encased with a great deal of Western cultural expectations.

Time for a larger table

We have created a table for the 8-10-caliber leaders, with little room for anyone else.

It is time to enlarge the church planting table to make room for the majority of potential missionaries who are just as biblically qualified and called, but unable to support strategies, methodologies, and ecclesiologies developed by high-caliber church leaders.
What is most unfortunate is that while we would never turn away potential church planters who fall into the 1-7-caliber range, we ask them to come to the little table that is in place and pull up a chair.
We tell David to kill Goliath, and expect him to wear Saul’s armor.  Whenever he insists that he needs to remove such encumbrances, we permit it, but look at him as if he has lost his mind.  Maybe we have lost our minds…
It is time to enlarge your church planting table, making room for the majority of potential missionaries in the Body of Christ.
Pastors, you need to stop looking elsewhere for the high-caliber church planters you don’t have to send from your churches, and start equipping and mobilizing the 1-3′s and the 4-7′s that the Lord has entrusted to your care.  Be faithful with what you have.  If you have the 8-10-caliber leaders, then be faithful with them as well.

How to kill a movement

It is my concern that if we do not enlarge our church planting tables, then the church planting momentum that we are currently seeing in North America may soon come to an end.  Any time we elevate, promote, and expect only that which can be reproduced by the few, we show just how unwise we are when it comes to being a good steward with the Body of Christ.
Just look to the 1970s for the smaller churches that could not “do” Sunday School and bus ministries like the few churches who were set forth as the model to achieve.  Consider the 1980s and 90s for the church growth methodologies that only the few were able to reproduce, while we created the atmosphere that “If you are not doing it their way, then you are not doing well.”  A fallout from these once wide-spread trends is that when the majority realized that they were not able to reproduce the models, frustration and apathy were some of the results.
I do not want to see church planting become something that was trendy, and “now it is time to return to what we can do for Kingdom advancement.”  I do not want churches to look at the present trends and say, “Well, if that is church planting, then we do not have what it takes.”
The way to help churches realize that they have what it takes is to change the definitions, expectations, and what is set as the measuring rod.

How big is your table?

So, how big is your church planting table in your denomination, network, or local church?  What are you pointing others toward as the way to do it “right”?  Have you created expectations that will set up the majority for failure?
As a leader, if you are only reading the books and attending the conferences geared toward the minority of potential church planters in North America, then you need to change directions.
It is time to enlarge our church planting tables, making room for the majority.  If we do, then we are likely to be much closer to experiencing the multiplication of disciples, leaders, and churches that we all desire.
There are over 4 billion people in this world without Jesus.  75% of the population of the United States and Canada also fall into this massive number of lostness.  I think we need everyone we can get to the table.  Don’t you?
It is time to put some extra leaves in our tables and add a lot more chairs.
This article was originally posted at jdpayne.org.

About The Author

J. D. serves as the pastor of church multiplication with The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. He has pastored churches in Kentucky and Indiana, and served for a decade with the North American Mission Board and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books on the topics of evangelism and missions.

5 Facts About Passionate Leadership

By Brandon Cox

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One of my favorite little Bible verses might seem somewhat obscure, but in its original language, it’s packed with meaning. Paul wrote to the Romans, “I am eager to come and preach the gospel to you…” (Romans 1:16) The word translated as eager comes from a compound Greek word that means “on heat,” or as we would say it today, Paul was on fire to preach!
Passion is a priceless aspect of leadership. It’s something that can be faked, but only temporarily. We can only keep up the facade of passion for something for so long before people begin to realize we aren’t quite as invested as we’ve acted. Real passion burns inside us. It flares up somewhat uncontrollably and makes us do crazy things, like go to new places with the gospel, get personally involved in the lives of hurting sinners, and push others around us forward even at the cost of our own comfort.

Real Passion Is Cultivated with Jesus

Passion can be derived from reading the latest church growth books, attending conferences, and listening to motivational tapes about leadership. But these generate but a flicker in comparison with the true source of passion in a Christian leader – time with Jesus. Luke records the experience of two apostles shortly after Jesus’ resurrection, “Back and forth they talked. ‘Didn’t we feel on fire as he (Jesus) conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?’” (Luke 24:32 MSG)

Real Passion Is Stimulated by the Holy Spirit

In other words, passion is ultimately cultivated deep within us over time as we get closer to Jesus. His Holy Spirit has a tendency to fan it into flame and keep it alive. I don’t think this has as much to do with a “Holy Ghost revival meetin’” where we all act a little crazy as it does a far more internal combustion in the heart of a believer that absolutely must come out in the form of influencing others with drive and energy.

Real Passion Is Contagious – It Moves Others

As my friend Neil Greenhaw has wisely said, “Passion is the thing in us that breeds followers. What we are truly passionate about, people tend to follow.” And it’s so true. People simply don’t follow passionless leaders, but where you find people following something as a crowd, big or small, you’ll always find a leader passionate enough to boldly invite and empower others for the cause.

Real Passion Is Evident In Our Extra Effort

Commitment will get the job done. Commitment is good. But passion goes further. Passion is what drives us to put in overtime in the areas of life that matter the most to us. Passionate marriages show the evidence of a man pursuing his wife with intentionality. Passionate businesses go the extra mile to provide top notch, beyond normal customer service. And passionate church leaders are always chasing the next possible way to fulfill the Great Commitment in each new generation.

Real Passion Is Rare

Talent is everywhere, whether it’s invested or wasted. But passionate people stand out. There are thousands of great baseball players hanging out on sandlots around the world, but those with real passion make it to “the show.” Great singers are hiding in neighborhoods everywhere, but passionate artists are heard on the radio. And passion isn’t handed out in small quantities. It’s cultivated by choice and determination. It’s yours to pursue as much as you want.
I think the world needs people with talent, charisma, money, charm, wisdom, and a plethora of other virtues and resources. But now, more than ever, the world needs people with real passion. Are you on fire?
photo credit: kaibara87

The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of July 22nd

By: Brian Dodd

July 26, 2013 1 Comment

I love this week’s Top 10 list and feel you should bookmark it for future reference.  The 10 posts provided offer great practical leadership to the areas we face as church leaders.  Here are just some of the subjects covered – how to deal with business leaders, vacation bible school, next generation leaders, daughters and modesty, preaching to teenagers, artists, and what it takes to grow a church.
The following are the Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of July 22nd.  Enjoy!

1. The State Of Vacation Bible School by The Barna Group
2. Leaders and Creatives by Jenni Catron
3. A Dad’s Perspective: Why I Tell My Daughters To Dress Modestly by Peter Chin via Christianity Today
4. 7 Things Leaders Must Do To Be Effective Today by Ron Edmondson
5. 7 Tips For Preaching To Teenagers by Brandon Hilgermann via Pastors.com
6. 7 Generous Church Leaders You Should Follow On Twitter by Michael Holmes
7. Back In Flight: Russell Wilson Looks Back At His Surprising Rookie Year And What Lies Ahead by Peter King.  This is an incredible profile of a next generation leader.
8. Why Big Churches Keep Getting Bigger by Tony Morgan
9. Leadership Trends With Casey Graham by Carey Nieuwhof.  In this post Carey interviews Casey about how pastors and church leaders can better disciple the business leaders within their church.  It is the best 16 minutes I invested all week and will change how you view the business community.
10. Facebook Swings To Profit, As Mobile And Local Ads Surge by Evelyn Rusli of The Wall Street Journal - Church leaders who do not utilize mobile giving should read this post.

Well that is my Top 10 for the week.  What other great leadership posts did you read the past seven days?

Your job makes you want to rip your hair out. What should you do?

I'm Frustrated With My Job ... Now What?

By Greg Surratt Have you ever been frustrated with your job? Wondered if anything you are currently doing really matters?
Recently, my daily Bible reading took me through Isaiah. In Chapter 49, verses 1-7, he has a conversation with God about his frustration with his job.
Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.” I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord ’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.” And now the Lord speaks—the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him.
The Lord has honored me, and my God has given me strength. He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” The Lord, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the one who is despised and rejected by the nations, to the one who is the servant of rulers: “Kings will stand at attention when you pass by. Princes will also bow low because of the Lord, the faithful one, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” 
This scene brought to mind 10 things we should remember when a job is going nowhere:
1. God’s plan for you began long before you were born.
2. He’s the one that chose your gifts. (Given a choice, Isaiah might not have chosen the one he got.)
3. Your gifts are all about bringing him glory.
4. Even when you are in the center of God’s will, it will at times seem mundane and boring.
5. It’s best to leave the score-keeping to God and trust him for your reward.
6. During uneventful days, it’s good to remind yourself of who God is and what he’s called you to do.
7. Never forget what an honor it is to do what you do for him.
8. God’s plan for you is bigger than what you have imagined.
9. If you remain in the posture of a servant, the same people who won’t give you the time of day now will pay close attention to you later.
10. When things do get better (they will), don’t forget who it’s all about.

Greg Surratt is the founding pastor of Seacoast Church, one of the earliest adopters of the multi-site model. Located in Mt. Pleasant, SC, Seacoast has been recognized by various media as an innovative and influential thought leader in future strategies for church growth and development. Greg is also a founding board member of the Association of Related Churches. Learn more »
Browse all articles by Greg Surratt

The Number One Need Church Leaders Are Facing

 Brian Dodd On Leadership  

HELPING LEADERS FIND SOLUTIONS

July 24, 2013 0 Comments

What is the most pressing need you are facing as a church?  On Tuesday, July 23rd over 2,000 church leaders were part of a free webinar put on by The Rocket Company.  During this time together, COO Michael Lukaszewski asked the attendees to tweet the greatest need they were facing.  The answers were surprising.  BTW, you can hear an On Demand replay of this session by clicking here.
I was expecting the top responses to be about vision, mission, giving, discipleship, or even senior pastors.  While many of those items were mentioned, they were far outpaced by one specific need in the church.
It was a rare opportunity to hear from church leaders directly about their greatest needs.  The following were the first 14 responses taken straight from Twitter.  For those of us called to serve those in ministry, this is enlightening information.
Each person listed has their real name along with their Twitter handle.

1. Marc Sundstrom ‏@MarcSundstrom2m -The biggest systems need at Southridge Church is ASSIMILATION.
   
2. Jason Ewart ‏@JasonEwart142s - Our church needs a stronger volunteer training system
3. Allison Yankey ‏@ayankette46s - Communication
   
4. Scott Puckett ‏@mscottpuckett43s - We need help with an assimilation plan for incorporating new people into the life of the church.
5. Michael Campbell ‏@revmikecampbell56s - My church needs basic foundational structure.
6. Christwalk Church ‏@TheChristwalk - Here the thing we the most work on his giving and foundational structure. We’re growing but we don’t really have systems.
7. Mark Ashley ‏@RevMashley - Top systems needs are recruiting and training volunteers.
8. Tim Bistline ‏@timbistline - Faith based budget and finances. 
   
9. Rev. Allen Erdman ‏@John1Ministries - The thing we need the most work on is youth ministry!
10. Adam Gronwald ‏@adamgronwald - Ours is personal discipleship.
    
11. Joel Philbrook ‏@jphilbrook1m - Volunteer Recruitment
    
12. James Franklin ‏@j_d_franklin - We need a better system for welcoming newcomers/seekers.
13. meghan howard ‏@revhoward18 - At our church @FairbornUMC good systems for volunteers and small groups.
14. Neil Schori ‏@neilschori - Capturing the hearts of volunteers and “closing the back door.”

These 14 responses mention 11 different areas of ministry.  However, volunteer needs were mentioned 6 times.  This was by far the most of any group.
The enlistment, training, connecting, and retaining of volunteers was the top need of the church leaders we heard from today.  Can you relate?
If volunteers are an area of need at your church, I am going to help you right now.  Click here for a free on-demand webinar to learn more about a product called Volunteer Rocket.  
Volunteer Rocket is absolutely the best volunteer system available for churches.  Nothing will better help you gain, train, and retain the volunteers in your ministry.

The Top 25 Leadership Quotes I Have Heard In 2013

July 22, 2013 0 Comments

2013 has been a year of incredible leadership teaching thus far.  The following are the Top 25 leadership quotes I have heard this year.  I made it a point to use a different speaker for each quote.  These are listed in alphabetical order by speaker.

1. “Don’t engage with haters…Hate only gets loud when you’re doing something that matters. No one throws rocks at someone laying down.” – Jon Acuff
2. “You can’t expect the current and future generation of leadership to sustain the previous generation’s vision.” – Chad Brooks
3. “The Holy Spirit will always use creatives.  Remember they’re creative.  They will always find a way to use their gifts.” – John Brown
4. “To reach a certain level of success in any field you’re in you have to have an ego that says, ‘I want to be the best.  This is what’s going to drive me and come hell or high water this needs to get done and I need to be successful.’  It’s a choice that you have to make.  You can have friends and be buddy-buddy throughout the course of your career or you can choose to have a few enemies and decide to be great at what you do.  That’s a decision everyone has to make at one point or another…5 championships speaks to the choice that I made.” – Kobe Bryant
5. “What frustrates me is when I look at Scripture is I want to be that man. To put me as an extremist is destructive. Radical Christian living is sustainable.” - Francis Chan
6. “We can become so obsessed with what’s next that we miss the now. And by missing the now, we often miss what’s next.” – Ken Coleman
7. “Create Necessary Endings – This is when the worst thing a leader can do is think there is hope in a situation.” – Henry Cloud
8. “The best leaders get the most from the best and the best from the least.” – Trent Dilfer
9. “Jesus just held everybody close. We have people running around holding people accountable when they just need to hold them close.” – Bob Goff
10. “Never once have I ever heard anyone confess ‘I’m greedy’.  Nothing is more blinding than money and possessions.” – Casey Graham
11. “Church, if we are racially divided (87% of churches in US are homogenous) how can we heal a racially divided country?” – Derwin Gray
12. “Job security is tied to killing ministry. When someone says, ‘Something isn’t working. I want to kill it.’ That’s good leadership. They are more interested in the vision than the ministry. That’s the person I want to keep.” – Jeff Henderson
13. “You need a little bit of luck to win a NBA championship and that’s exactly what we had.” – LeBron James
14. “We’re in the prototype industry.  We build it.  We try it.  If it doesn’t go faster you throw it away and move on…We make more things that don’t work than do.” – Jimmy Johnson crew chief Chad Knaus
15. “The most dynamic profession on this earth is being a leader.” – Mike Krzyzewski
16. “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” – Ray Lewis
17. “Over time, hypocrisy always causes us to collapse. The greatest preachers of all- time were passionate about being Godly. You are the visible representation of the truth you are declaring…You don’t separate the gift from who you are.” – Crawford Loritts
18. “I improved my communication by speaking to a room full of people who didn’t want to be there.”  - Michael Lukaszewski
19. “Create discontent out of the potential of your mission, the progress of your mission, the gap in your mission of what is and what could be, the urgency of your mission.”  - Carey Nieuwhof
20. “I hear people say, ‘Fun (in church) ain’t the goal.’ Well, Heaven is going to suck for you.” – Perry Noble
21. “Life is a series of events that seem quite serendipitous. And you need to put yourself in position for serendipity to happen.” – Condoleezza Rice
22. “When fear knocks let faith answer the door.” – Robin Roberts at the ESPY Awards
23. “He (Bear Bryant) was a very good fundamental coach.  But what he really did well was create intangibles like toughness and discipline and giving great effort and executing your job…What you have to admire most about Coach Bryant is that he could do it for such a long time at such a high level.  Because people think there is a continuum of success.  There is no continuum of success.  It starts over with every team.” – Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban
24. “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”  - Andy Stanley quoting Acts 15:18.  He also added, “If the message of the church is for everybody, we dare not create a church culture that’s an obstacle to anybody.”
25. “Jesus Christ, the gospel message, is the most important brand that has ever existed. Everything I do, every time I share the gospel, every time I start a ministry I affect the brand.” – Brian White 

And now I want to share the most important leadership quote I heard in 2013.  The following are the words from Rick Warren:
“Christians get to approach tragedy differently than the rest of the world. We get to rely completely on Christ. We get to have hope. But how? By intentionally leaning on Christ for stability, listening to Christ for direction, and looking to Christ for salvation. He is our Rock, our Shelter, our Great Shepherd, our Hiding Place. Suffering and tragedy are inevitable in a sinful world, but Jesus Christ makes all the difference. Decide that you will rely on Him even in the darkest of hours of your life.”
What other great quotes have you heard this year?

 http://briandoddonleadership.com/

16 Lessons On The Value And Challenge Of Having Artists And Creative Leaders In Today’s Church

July 21, 2013 2 Comments

His name is John Brown.  While his name is common, he is anything but.  John is a gifted painter.  He is an artist in the truest sense of the word.  Because he is classically trained, I deeply value his opinion of artists and the role they play in today’s church.
I scheduled breakfast with him today to talk through the role art plays in society, the local church, and leadership.  As part of our time together, he went over the two books shown above.  There were several lessons he taught me which I will cover in future posts but I was particularly moved by what is known as Plato’s Cave.
If you are unfamiliar with this parable (and I was) here is how John described it:
Plato’s Cave describe a group of people who have lived chained in a semi-circle to the wall of a cave all of their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall by things passing in front of the sun or a fire behind them, and begin to ascribe forms to these shadows. These shadows are as close as the prisoners get to viewing reality. However, one of the prisoners turns around and looks at the object and then tells the other prisoners the true form of reality rather than the mere shadows seen by the other prisoners.
Those who turn around and interpret for others what is real are the artists.
The following are John’s additional thoughts which have significant meaning for church leaders:

• God made creative people to express His world.
• He made them hyper-sensitive (they turn around) to events others do not notice.
• Satan uses this hyper-sensitivity because artists are more willing to accept things normal people would not.  They will then create strange things like New Age.  They also get into drugs and bizarre things more easily.
• King David was an artist.  As a shepherd he saw God and things of this world in a way others did not and was moved by its beauty.  He also looked at the wrong thing and was moved by its beauty.
• Most creatives don’t understand how special they are because no one told them they were special at an early age.
• Creatives are supposed to be used but are treated like black sheep because they don’t fit the norm.  As a result, “normals” make fun of them.
• As an artist, you’re a nobody until somebody says, “That’s a great work of art.”  Then you’re somebody.
• Artists suffer a lot because of their hyper-sensitivity.  God uses that suffering to create from it.  Great art is an escape from the pain of their hyper-sensitivity.

I think took a moment to speak with John about the most famous piece of art ever made, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.  The following are his thoughts:

• The Mona Lisa has a reputation because people think she’s smiling.
• da Vinci was a sculptor, a painter, an architect, but primarily a scientist.
• He had heart and depth.  He saw things a different way, thinking beyond the surface, pulling life out of the being.
• Musicians are a challenge.  The words of the songs have heart but how much do words get into them?

I then pressed in and asked John, “If Leonardo da Vinci joined a church today, what would we do with him?”  John’s answers were fascinating.

• Churches are limited.  You can use musicians.
• You would use da Vinci to reach other creatives like you use a former drug addict to reach drug addicts.
• He would re-do the sanctuary.  Remember, he’s a scientist.  The sanctuary would be much more aesthetic.
• The room would be much more visual.  You would get a deeper spiritual feeling.  Paintings would be all over the walls as would preliminary designs and even some wild concepts.

I said, “John, shouldn’t the church be the most unlimited place in the world?”
He responded, “Don’t forget the work of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit keeps things in line and from becoming too wild.”
He then concluded by saying, “The Holy Spirit will always use creatives.  Remember, they’re creative.  They will always find a way to use their gifts.”
A few critical questions for pastors and church leaders:
Are you identifying artists and creatives at an early age and giving them a platform?
Are you affirming artists and creatives leaders by telling them how special they are?
And one more probing question – If Leonardo da Vinci joined your church, what would you do with him?
Let me know your thoughts.  We need to learn from each other how to reach, disciple, and allow artists to use their gifts.

The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of July 15th

July 19, 2013 0 Comments

I say this often but the following are arguably the 10 most important posts I have identified in quite awhile.  Some of the items covered below are the Zimmerman trial, dealing with jerks and negative feedback, marriage, the power of language, and church vision.
These posts have made me a better leader and expanded my thinking.  They will do the same for you.

• 4 Words I Say To Jerks by Jon Acuff
• Why I’m Still Married After 17 Years by Paul Alexander
• Negative Feedback by Jimmy Collins at www.CreativeFollowership.com
• Leaders, Choose Your Words Wisely by Douglas Conant at Harvard Business Review
• Finding Vision For Your Marriage by Trisha Davis at Leading And Loving It.  This is as fine as site for Christian women as you can find.
• The Race Card Of Early Christians – What They Can Teach Us Today by Derwin Gray.  One of the best and most insightful posts I have ever read.  A must for every pastor and church leader.
• Leadership Trends With Rich Birch by Carey Nieuwhof.  This is an incredible interview with amazing insights.  Also, if you aren’t reading Rich’s blog www.unSeminary.com, you’re missing out.
• 15 Techniques Used By Top Non-Profits To Boost Donor Acquisition And Online Fundraising Results by npEngage
• Five Things I Think About The Zimmerman Verdict by Greg Surratt
• Why I Communicate Our Church’s Vision Immediately by Scott Wilson

Local Businessman Still Fears Homelessness

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com
Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Local Businessman Still Fears Homelessness
"It invades my dreams and affects the decisions I make"

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ANS) -- When businessman Macy FitsEmons and his family moved from New York to Albuquerque in November 2004, he planned to open his own towing company.





Macy FitsEmons
However, within a year things weren't going too well and Macy was ready to give up and go back to New York so he could support his family.

God had other plans.

Macy said, "I got down on my knees and prayed to God to help me, to guide me and give me something that would give my work meaning. Within two weeks I was working with a local non-profit developing and implementing a vehicle donation program."

After six years, Macy said, this program became the most successful auto donation program for a local nonprofit in New Mexico.

According to that group, one year, Macy's efforts allowed that nonprofit to earn over $130,000 in just nine months.

He added, reflectively, "The Lord had given me more than I had ever imagined."

Macy said he subsequently sold his towing business, although he and his wife Gina still work for the new owner, and moved on from that non profit.

What to do next? Macy said his biggest fear in life has always been that he would become homeless. He said, "It invades my dre ams and affects the decisions I make."

What Macy said next was shocking. "I wake up at about 2 in the morning worrying about being homeless. My heart races and pounds."

Macy said to help calm him down he wakes up Gina, who brings him back to reality by helping him think about how unlikely it would be for the family to become homeless.

Gina told me, "You have no idea how much it affects this man's life."

Macy said his grandparents were frequently homeless-going from house to house-as a result of his grandfather's alcohol addiction. His mother understandably worried about being homeless, and that carried onto Macy.

Macy's fear has affected his wife. Gina said, "It's extremely draining, because I have to pull him up constantly out of ... despair."

Compounding his own fears of homelessness, Macy said it seemed the homeless were constantly around him.

He said, "I always saw the homeless here in Albuquerque when driving the tow truck, when they would ask me at the store for 'a couple of bucks, ' or when they would come into my tow yard to buy an old car."

Macy said sometimes he would give them money, and sometimes not.

He added, "I would put myself in their place, thinking what I would do differently than them. Where would I stay at night, what would I do? Who would help me and my family?"

After leaving the nonprofit, Macy said he thought more than ever about being homeless himself. But there was one positive thought.

He said, "I knew about Joy Junction and the good works they do. At least I thought I knew. Once again I needed God's direction in my life and asked him to help me. This is when Joy Junction started to appear to me 'from everywhere.'"

Macy said he saw ads for Joy Junction on the radio, TV, the newspaper, "even a lunch truck giving out food down the road from the tow yard."

He said, "The more I asked the Lord, the more Joy Junction was put in front of me."

Macy said he began finding out all he could about us from the Joy Junction website, and from people i nvolved in the nonprofit world.

The signs continued.

Late one Saturday afternoon, Macy said, he stopped for a bagel on Albuquerque's East Central, and a homeless woman asked him for some money to get a room, because it was expected to be a cold night. After the exchange, Macy asked if she knew about Joy Junction.

The woman said she did, "and had nothing but praise" for Joy Junction, but that it would be full.

As a result, Macy said he gave her a few dollars toward the cost of a motel room.

Macy said these incidents prompted him and Gina to visit Joy Junction, and our thrift store (then on site).

They were greeted at the guard shack by one of the members of our life recovery program, doing his volunteer assignment. Seeing their Chihuahua, Macy said, led to the man telling them about his dogs. He then shared about how he ended up at Joy Junction.

He told Macy and Gina how different his life had become "because of the change he received from God and Joy Junction. He spoke to me in s uch a spirit of thankfulness that I know something good was going on inside this place."

Macy said he and Gina entered the thrift shop and browsed the donated items available for sale.





Jeremy Reynalds in Macy's yard.
"I immediately thought of the donors who provided this bounty and what part could I do," Macy said. "I knew that there were some old cars and trucks on the property. It looked as if they had been (there for a long time). I knew this what was the Lord was trying to show me. I knew this would be my way of helping."

Macy contacted us, and my assistant Kathy Sotelo and I gave him a tour. It made a deep impression on him.

He said, "I was amazed at what goes on there. From the big common room where three meals a day are provided from their own kitchen, to worship and spiritual guidance, to learning programs, activities, large bathrooms with showers and laundry facilities (and more)."

Macy continued, "There is so much going on there, more than I ever imagined. I wanted to help with this wonderful organization."

And help they have. Our partnership with Macy and his wife means we can now pick up vehicles, from all parts of the city, including ones that aren't working or are only good for scrap. It's a great way of turning cars and their dilapidated parts into food for the homeless.

If you have a car that's no longer of any use to you, call us at (505) 877 6967. We'll take it off your hands and use it to help continue Joy Junction. It's a win-win for everyone.

Jeremy Reynalds is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, http://www.joyjunction.org He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "A Sheltered Life."



Additional details on "A Sheltered Life" are available at http://www.ashelteredlife.net. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@comcast.net.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.



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0 Reasons Why Marriages Are In Trouble And 5 Lessons For Raising The Next Generation

10 Reasons Why Marriages Are In Trouble And 5 Lessons For Raising The Next Generation

July 14, 2013 1 Comment

It is no secret successful marriages are becoming more and more rare.  This unfortunate reality is having significant generational impact in our nation.  Recently, Dr. Crawford Loritts, senior pastor of Fellowship Bible Church, outlined 10 Reasons Why Marriages Are In Trouble.  This list has critical importance as it could provide warning signs which could save your marriage.

1. Immaturity – Don’t confuse age with development.  Delayed adolescence is an epidemic in America.
2. Lack Of Spiritual Maturity To Judge Character Of Your Mate – You marry reality, not a dream.
3. Selfishness
4. Passive Men Without Much Drive.  This has been passed down from the Garden.  Our natural default mode is passivity.
5. Historical Inability For Meaningful Communication
6. Fear And Lack Of Intimacy
7. Lack Of Connectedness With Desire For Two Separate Lives
8. Lack Of Purposeful Family Development.  This is an outflow of the lack of strong male Christian leadership in the home.
9. Technology Hinders Ability To Communicate Face-To-Face.  Guys, if you are 30 years old and reaching Call Of Duty’s top level, there is a problem.
10. Not Accepting Responsibility For Problems

Crawford went on to provide 4 Purposes For Marriage:

1. To Provide Companionship
2. To Reflect And Carry God’s Image
3. To Help Each Other
4. To Carry On The Human Race

Regarding the topic of carrying on the human race.  Crawford previously provided parents 5 lessons in raising the next generation:

1. Parents, Address And Get Rid Of Your Sin.  Dealing with our own sin as parents gives us the credibility to deal with theirs.
2. Don’t Worship Your Children.  They are going to leave you one day…hopefully.
3. Don’t Compare Your Kids With Each Other.
4. Don’t Advocate For Kids Beyond That Which Is Right.
5. Let Your Kids Feel The Consequences For Their Lies And Deceit.  There is a compounding effect to sin.  The tendencies of one generation becomes the traits in the next.

These lists give us much to think about and apply.

12 Costs All Leaders Must Be Willing To Pay For Success

July 13, 2013 1 Comment

Photo Courtesy Google Images and sports.inquirer.net

“When you’re the elite, the exception, the example, you get to a peak and you try to explain what got you there rather than growing it.  Complacency creeps in, and by the time you realize it, you’re regressing.  That’s the plateau.  Getting past it requires stimuli, and oftentimes the best stimuli is failure.” – Miami Heat forward James Jones discussing the book The Plateau Effect

Most people desire the income, notoriety, influence, benefits and perks that many leaders have.  Few, however, are willing to pay the price those leaders paid to get those perks.

There is a cost that leaders must be willing to pay.  That is why the title of a July 1st Sports Illustrated article captured my attention.  The title was “LeBron On His MJ Moment AND Why This Road To The Ring Was Twice As Tough.”  I wanted to know the costs LeBron James paid for his success.

As I read the article, it became apparent the cost James paid is one all leaders must be willing to pay to achieve personal success.  The following are the 12 Costs All Leaders Must Be Willing To Pay For Success I gleaned from the article.

1. The Cost Of Worry And Anxiety – James said, “There were times I couldn’t eat.”  This was attributed to James being both too anxious and wired.
2. The Cost Of Stress – James said, “It was the stress.”  During the playoffs he only averaged two hours of sleep per night.  This is down from seven or eight during the rest of the year.
3. The Cost Of Comfort – During the Heat’s 23 playoff games, James played a total of 960 minutes.  In a letter to coach Erik Spoelstra, James said he would “Do everything to help the team, no matter what cost.”
4. The Cost Of Responsibility – James understood that no matter how he performed individually, if the team lost it would be his fault.
5. The Cost Of Recovery – After every game, James required individual treatment that included ice,massages, cold and hot tub, stimulations, Pilates, and heavy bag boxing.
6. The Cost Of Hard Work – During the San Antonio series James was called upon to set more screens that at any point in his career.  This meant additional wear and tear on his body.
7. The Cost Of Fatigue – James had to pace himself taking a few plays off on offense, but never on defense.
8. The Cost Of Time – Shane Battier says, “He is strong and he’s fast and he can jump, but what separates him is how far he goes.”
9. The Cost Of Confidence – Even as accomplished as James is,he still struggles with self-doubt.  He says, “Even the best have self-doubt at times when what they’re doing isn’t working  You need a reminder.”
10. The Cost Of Expectation – Business Manager Maverick Carter says, “It’s not wrong to ask a great player to be great.”
11. The Cost Of Comparison – Excellence becomes average when it is all you deliver.  Cam Newton says, “His good, for anybody else, is great.  His great is iconic.”
12. The Cost Of Complacency – Leaders must keep growing.  James sums it up when he says, “I’m a totally different person on the court, off the court, and everywhere in between.”

Worry, Stress, Comfort, Responsibility, Recovery, Hard Work, Fatigue, Time, Confidence, Expectation, Comparison, and Complacency.  Leaders, are you willing to pay these 12 costs for success?

Let me hear from you.  What other costs have you had to pay as a leader?

Related content:

1. 12 Leadership Quotes And Prinicples From LeBron James And The Miami Heat
2. The Best Leadership Quotes And Lessons From LeBron James
3. 14 Quotes And Lessons On Apex Leadership We Learn From LeBron James

The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of July 8th

July 12, 2013 2 Comments

Failure is not a subject we like to talk about often.  However, few things connect with readers more.  We long for transparency and people who have a common journey as we do.
If you feel the same way, you will enjoy The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of July 8th:

• It’s Not My Job By Paul Alexander
• What If You’re Already The Best Leader You Will Ever Be by Jeff Brodie
• How To Spot “Counterfeit Passion” When Making A Church Hire by Scott Cochrane
• 10 Risky Questions For Leaders by Bill Donahue
• The 19 Bloggers You Should Be Reading by Robby Gallaty.  I was truly honored to make this list.
• More Than Just A Good “Church” Kid by Derwin Gray
• 9 Thoughts On Creating Great Partnerships by Brad Lomenick
• Why Church Plants Fail Part 1 by Jeff Maness.  And don’t forget to read Part 2 and Part 3.
• 4 Bad Habits Developed By Teams With No Ministry Strategy by Tony Morgan
• Top 10 Rudest Things People Do In Church by Todd Rhodes.  Speaking of Todd, check out the resource below.

 I feel every reader of this blog should check out Ministry Briefing.  This is a resource every Christian leader must have.  Each month, Matt Steen and Todd Rhoades compile 200+ of the most relevant and important blog posts of the previous 30 days.  They offer great pricing and the quality and delivery of the resource is unmatched.  Click HERE and check them out.  You won’t be disappointed.
Well that is my Top 10.  What other great posts did you read this past week?

10 Habits Of Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions

July 10, 2013 0 Comments

Leaders work very hard and sacrifice much for the success of others.  Few things are then as satisfying as reaching your full potential in context of a championship team.
Leaders are also continual learners.  In the July 1st edition of Sports Illustrated, the 2013 NHL Champion Chicago Blackhawks were profiled.  Special attention was paid to goalie Corey Crawford.
As I reviewed the comments and leadership lessons from the article, I felt they were applicable to anyone who leads a church, sports team, non-profit or business.
The following are the 10 Habits Of Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions we learn from Corey Crawford and the Chicago Blackhawks:

1. Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions Carry A Heavier Load – No matter how good everything else may be, winning a Stanley Cup comes down to the quality of the goalie.
2. Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions Develop Inner-Strength –  Crawford says, “You can learn a lot from success but sometimes you learn more from being challenged.  It might now show on the outside, but it toughens you up.”
3. Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions Puts Mistakes Behind Them – Teammate Ray Emery says, “Corey has been fantastic for us and puts bad games behind him better than anyone.”
4. Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions Are Resilient – Teammate Duncan Keith says, “Nothing fazes [Corey] really.”
5. Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions Develop Balance – Keith goes on to add, ”He’ll talk to you before games.  He’s so relaxed.  He’s almost normal.”
6. Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions Don’t Always Get Their Due - Teammates Jonathan Toews says, ”People may not give him his due all the time, and I’m not sure he cares about taking credit.”
7. Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions Seize The Moment – Chicago Blackhawk coach Joel Quenelle says, ”It seems like the games get bigger and Corey gets better.”
8. Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions Give Credit To Others - Quenneville goes on, ”By the way he goes about his business, it’s like the spotlight will always be on someone else.  And he’s fine with it.  He doesn’t get noticed; he just needs to win hockey games.”
9. Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions Get The Most Criticism - In hockey, goalies get more pressure and criticism than anyone else on the team.
10. Highly Successful Leaders Who Are Champions Don’t Complain - Crawford sums it up when he says, ”When you’re down, you can kick and scream, but you know it won’t get you up.  None of that makes you better.  It won’t help you stop the next shot if you’re thinking about one that went by you.”

Carry A Heavier Load, Develop Inner-Strength, Put Mistakes Behind You, Be Resilient, Develop Balance, Understand You Won’t Get Your Due, Seize The Moment,  Give Credit To Others, Receive The Criticism, and Don’t Complain.
If you consistently do these 10 practices, you too may be a Highly Successful Leader Who Is A Champion.

15 TRUTHS ABOUT BROKENNES CHRISTIAN LEADERS MUST EXPERIENCE

15 Truths About Brokenness Christian Leaders Must Experience

July 8, 2013 5 Comments

“To the level that God will use you is the level at which He must break you.” – Ike Reighard

Many leadership blogs give the impression that the writer never makes mistakes, never fails, never comes up short, and basically has all the answers.  If that is the type of blog you are looking for, then you will be disappointed with this site because I have made more mistakes than I care to comment on.
This past weekend I had to relive one of the most difficult times of my life.  I was asked to teach a group of approximately 75 adults the subject of brokenness.  Brokenness is something all Christian leaders know well.  God uses brokenness to humble us, remind us of Who is in control, and mold and shape us into the image of Jesus.  As my pastor Crawford Loritts says, “Godly leaders lead with a limp.”
As I prepared my lesson from Genesis 32:22-32, the passage where Jacob wrestles with God, I discovered a 15 truths about brokenness leaders go through.  Here is the progression as found in the text.

1. Brokenness is conceived in pain, fear, and/or bad decisions (Gen 27:41, 32:1-21) – Jacob feared meeting his estranged brother Esau the next day who he felt wished to kill him.
2. You will be forced to being alone with God (v. 24) – “Jacob was left alone”.  During times of brokenness, God wants no distractions or interruptions as He deals with us.
3. The struggle is real (v.24) – “a Man”.  Jacob fought a real man.  The issues we deal with during our times of brokenness are not figurative.  They are very, very real.
4. The struggle is intense (v. 24) – “wrestled”.  Jacob’s conflict was not a mild misunderstanding.  It was a wrestling match.
5. The struggle is prolonged (v.24) – “until the breaking of day.”  Does the struggle you are facing seem unending?  Jacob’s wrestling was not a short fight.  It lasted all night.  Think about a physical confrontation that goes on for hours.  It is exhausting.
6. The struggle is about a greater purpose.  Jacob was involved in a literal wrestling match with God, and a figurative one with greater consequences.  This is also true with the struggles we face.
7. Jesus sees our struggle (v.25).  - “He saw”.  We can take comfort knowing Jesus cares deeply for us and knows the pain we are facing.
8. We reach a point of feeling we are out of options and hope is lost (v.25).  ”he prevailed not”.  During times of brokenness, we will all reach a point when our skills, competencies, financial resources, and connections are no longer sufficient.  It is then we are forced to turn to God.
9. Jesus breaks us in all the RIGHT places (v.25) – “he touched the hollow of his thigh and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint”.  All Christian leaders will experience brokenness.  Either the world will break us or God will.  It is inescapable.  The difference is when the world breaks you, they discard you.  When God breaks you, He puts you back together better than you were before and for greater purposes.
10. All storms pass (v.26) – “for the day breaketh”. The one things all storms have in common is they pass.
11. Brokenness makes us hungry for God (v.26) – “I will not”.  If we properly go through a process of brokenness, it should make us have a deeper hunger for God.  This speaks to intimacy.
12. During times of struggle, hold onto God (v.26).  ”I will not let thee go.”  During times of brokenness, sometimes all you can do is hold onto Jesus.
13. Be honest with God (v.28) – “What is thy name?  And he said Jacob.”  Jacob’s name represented trickster, thief, dishonesty, and lies.  Jacob had to get transparent with God about who he was.  Likewise, brokenness happens when we reach a point of admitting our sin, inadequacy, inability to accomplish our leadership assignments apart from Him, and the fact we deserve death and hell except for the work of Jesus on the cross.
14. God brings victory (v.28) – “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel.”  Jesus, through the process of brokenness, gives us a new picture of who we are in light of Him.
15. Your struggle will be an enduring testimony of God’s faithfulness (v.32) – “Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.”  Your story of brokenness will become a testimony to God’s control and faithfulness in your life for generations.

If you are currently going through intense struggles I hope these lessons are a source of hope and encouragement.  Leaders, what did you learn from your brokenness experience?

6 KEYS PRINCIPLES TO DREAMING BIG

6 Key Principles to Dreaming Big

by Doug Franklin

 

Leaders rely on God alone.

There are six key principles that leaders follow to dream big. Each principle is biblically based and time tested. Give them a try — and see what happens!
1. Leaders imagine the impossible.
Was it likely that God would flood the entire earth and destroy everything? Of course not! But Noah imagined the impossible because he believed in a big God. What is it God wants to make possible through you?
2. Leaders set goals.
God told Noah to round up a male and female of every living animal and plant and bring them into the ark. That’s a God-size goal, but “Noah did everything just as God commanded him” (Genesis 6:22). Don’t just dream. Set specific, measurable goals to fulfill the dream. For example, God gave two specific, measurable goals to Noah: 1) Find male and female specimens of every living creature; and 2) Bring them into the ark. The goal seemed impossible, but God helped Noah achieve it.
3. Leaders develop action plans.
What good is a goal if you don’t have a plan to accomplish it? It’s not going to happen by itself. Lay out a step-by-step plan. Noah’s action plan was simple and clear: 1) Build the ark; 2) Get the living creatures; 3) March them into the ark two by two; 3) Let God close the door; 4) Stay in the ark while it rains; 4) Release a dove until it doesn’t come back; and 6) Leave the ark. “And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him” (Genesis 7:5).
4. Leaders keep their eyes on the prize.
There was no sign of a monsoon when Noah built the ark. As he built the huge boat in his backyard, his neighbors probably ridiculed him. When a parade of animals headed into the ark, people probably laughed at him. How foolish — until it began to rain. Leaders do not allow criticism, mockery or anything else to hinder their pursuit of the dream.
5. Leaders rely on God alone.
They have confidence that God gave them the dream, crafted the goals, guided the action plan and provided the resources needed along the way. Whenever God gives a dream, He promises, “I will be with you.” Remember that when God closed the door to the ark, He wasn’t about to let Noah flounder or fail.
6. Leaders celebrate success.
The first thing Noah did after leaving the ark was build an altar to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to God. When big dreams come to pass, God’s people celebrate Him. 

My name is Doug Franklin and I serve youth workers through a ministry called LeaderTreks. I love youth ministry and the people who serve in it. I work with an incredible team creating tools and resources enabling youth workers to develop students into leaders. I want to influence youth workers to challenge students and prepare them for leadership in the kingdom of God. More from Doug Franklin or visit Doug at www.dougfranklinonline.com/

13 Things Highly Successful Leaders REALLY Think But Often Don’t Tell Anyone

July 4, 2013 0 Comments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWbGx53XydA&feature=player_embedded 

Many leaders I know are very guarded.  This often shows social intelligence because leaders should not risk losing influence. fragmenting the team, or building walls between people.  Honesty delivered without love and grace divides people.  At worst though, guarded leaders are political and concerned with protecting their position.
Therefore, it is rare to hear a leader completely unguarded.  That is why I love the interview with LeBron James shown above.  Watching the interview with the ESPN crew you get the sense LeBron was completely relaxed and transparent.
As a result, leaders can learn much from how the greatest leaders truly think and feel.  The following are 11 Things Highly Successful Leaders REALLY Think But Often Don’t Tell Anyone.  See if you don’t agree.

• Highly Successful Leaders Are Often Very Tired – “Winning a championship gives you all the energy in the world…A week or two from now, I ain’t got nothing left.  I’m done.”
• Highly Successful Leaders Prepared Very Hard When No One Was Watching – “The first two and a half games I said, ‘Is this how they’re going to play me long-term.’  I watched the film.  I broke it down.”
• Highly Successful Leaders Are Very Good At What They Do – “I’m one of the best mid-range shooters this season.  I shot a career-high from the 3-point line.  All the repetition, all the work you put in, don’t abandon it.”
• Highly Successful Leaders Never Forget Their Humble Beginnings – “I’m a kid from Akron, OH.  Statistically, I’m not even supposed to be here.”
• Highly Successful Leaders Know They’re Not That Good.  - “The Man Above gave me some athletic ability, gave me some talent and I’m just trying to take advantage of it.”
• Highly Successful Leaders Hate Maintenance And Want To Attack -”You see him on the post.  You see him on attack.  Even the dunk he got blocked by Tim Duncan you seeing him attacking the rim.”
• Highly Successful Leaders Need Some Luck – “You need a little bit of luck to win a NBA championship and that’s exactly what we had.”
• Highly Successful Leaders Are Often Insecure – “9 months is going down the drain until we actually got life.” – LeBron’s comments when he feared losing Game 6.
• Highly Successful Leaders Will Take Over If They Have To - “Game 6 coming out in the fourth quarter down by double-digits, basically I’m like if we’re going to go down, I’m going to go down giving everything I got.”
• Highly Successful Leaders Need Help – “My shooters made some shots and then defensively we made some plays.”
• Highly Successful Leaders Will Find A Way To Succeed – “Tonight we got 48 minutes of all out ball.”

And in the famous video below, a triumphant LeBron proudly proclaims two additional items Highly Successful Leaders REALLY Think But Don’t Tell Anyone:

• Highly Successful Leaders Can’t Worry About What Everyone Thinks – “Listen, I can’t worry about what everybody says about me.  I’m LeBron James from Akron, OH, from the inner-city, I’m not even supposed to be here.  That’s enough.”
• Highly Successful Leaders Love Winning – “I’m blessed.  So whatever everybody says about me off the court, it don’t matter.  I ain’t got no worries.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBxj2I_P9jQ&feature=player_embedded

The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of July 1st

July 5, 2013 0 Comments

The following are the Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of July 1st.  This is a special collection of posts.  Each one centers on growth, advancement, mission, vision, great teams, and also the challenges that face growing churches and organizations.

• The Most Post-Christian Cities In America by The Barna Group
• 12 Ways Churches Flail by Steve Caton
• Four Reasons Your Brainstorming Sessions Aren’t Working by Phil Cooke
• 7 “Tricks” To Improve Your Writing Overnight by Ray Edward via Michael Hyatt
• The Boz Says He Had A Feud With God by Mike Florio.  Great insights into the thought process of those far from God.
• How The Rocket Company Grew By 832% In Three Years + Our Key Performance Indicators Revealed by Casey Graham
• Why Almost Everything Rides On How You Lead At Home by Carey Nieuwhof
• The Twelve Biggest Challenges Pastors And Church Staff Face by Thom Rainer
• The Parable Of The Janitor Or Job Versus Mission by Matt Steen at www.ChurchThought.com.  For more on Matt, check out my comments below.
• 10 Leadership Lessons From Tim Duncan’s Career by Scott Williams

The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of June 24th

June 28, 2013 0 Comments

Leadership is very complex.  Below are 10 posts from the past week.  Many of these deal with serious issues currently facing our society, changes in our culture, and the way we behave.  I would like to hear your thoughts after reading these compelling posts.
The following are The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of June 24th.

• Reading Habits In The Digital World by www.Barna.org
• 4 Frameworks For Church Service Review Meetings (And 20 Evaluation Questions) by Rich Birch
• The Self-Esteem Generation Gives President Obama an “A” for Effort by Phil Cooke
• Chiefs Personnel Man Delivers Pointed Message To Rookies by Curtis Crabtree
• 50 Ways For Church Leaders To Be Generous by Generous Church
• That Time I Was On The Today Show by Jen Hatmaker
• Making Films With, Not About, The Homeless by Tim Hoiland of www.ChristianityToday.com
• 6 Ways Leaders Leave An Impression On Their Followers by Joseph Lalonde
• Buckeyes Plan For Life After Football by Bill Rabinowitz
• There Is Hope For America by Dr. Michael Youssef

Well that is my Top 10 for the week.  What other great posts did you read?

11 Leadership Quotes And Lessons From White House Down

June 29, 2013 0 Comments

Leaders need fun too.  There are times in a leader’s life when he/she simply needs to turn the brain off, relax, and have a great time.  That is why I love White House Down.  It is all action, adventure, and testosterone.  Guys, this is the movie for you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_wonLfgO5p8

1. “Voters today want somebody cool.” – President James Sawyer, played by Jamie Foxx.  President Sawyer knows leaders must make a connection with those they serve.  If not, people will not consistently follow those they do not like.
2. For Fathers Special Events Are Defining Moments – Early in the movie, John Cale, played by the great Channing Tatum, misses his daughter’s talent show.  Special events are defining moments in the lives of children and should be the highest priority for fathers.
3. “You only have so much time to do good things when you’re in the chair.” – Leadership is temporary.  It is a brief opportunity which must be maximized and stewarded well.
4. “We’re in the safest house in the world” says a White House tour guide.  ”Not today it’s not” responds Cale - Leaders know that your greatest strength can often become your greatest weakness.
5. The Law Of The Inner Circle – In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership, John Maxwell teaches that a leader’s success is determined by those closest to them.
6. Elevate Solutions Over Procedures – Leaders simply find a way to get the job done.  When the president was thought to be deceased, there was a pointless conversation about constitutional procedures while the White House was burning down.  I have been in many meetings when procedures were elevated over solutions.
7. The Sustaining Power Of Idealism – Leaders must believe deeply in what they are doing and why they are doing it.  This deep belief will sustain them through good times and bad.
8. The Influence Of Children – Fathers often do things they would rather not because their children want them to.  Agent Cail advised President Sawyer that he did not vote for him.  However, his daughter loved him because President Sawyer brought her daddy home from war.  Therefore, he would protect the man his daughter loves.
9. “Being president is about re-election.” – When leaders worry more about keeping their job than doing their job, churches and organizations suffer.
10. “I don’t want to make history.  I want to make a difference.” – President Sawyer
11. Reward Your Top Performers Generously - Smart leaders take care of those who take care of them.  President Sawyer made sure Cail was well rewarded at the movie’s conclusion.

Once again, just a fun movie to go see.  Have a great time and tell me what you think.