The past several days we have been at our annual “staff retreat.” I must say we have an incredible team!

I hope most leaders can say that about their team with the same sincerity and enthusiasm as I can.  I have noticed something over the years as we have met and worked through issues, from easy to the very difficult.

As our team has matured some signs have become more obvious and really stand out to me…

Dream- A mature team can dream together! They laugh, and come up with the most ridiculous ideas, and narrow them down to the God ones and follow a great vision and see it come to pass.

Discuss- There is open, honest & transparent communication in an environment of complete trust and vulnerability. This atmosphere nurtures creative thought and gives a platform where all are heard and respected.

Disagree- There is no way to get 30 leaders in a room and discuss the future, systems, processes & plans and there not be disagreement! In that fertile soil of opposing thought, the greatest ideas are birthed!

Depart- When all is said and done, and all the points are brought forward, fought over, and finalized. It doesn’t matter if your idea won, got shot down or compromised on. All depart with greater honor for one another and move to a higher level of mutual respect. All disagreements are left on the table, and the team moves forward as one!

I am blessed to work with such a godly mature team! Is there another attribute you would care to add?….

Posted in Leadership | Leave a comment

These are 5 things I love to see on Sundays…

  1. Someone you have poured your life into… SOAR!
  2. Children telling their parents they LOVE THEIR church
  3. People reaching for the tissue under their seats
  4. Conversations about the miracles God is doing
  5. People from different nations, tribes & tongues, loving one another

I love to see these things because they are outward signs that a great God is moving on the inside!

Posted in Inspiration | Tagged children, miracles, sundays | Leave a comment

Jesus had a tribe of 12. He didn’t come to win the world but came to die for the world! He invested in and equipped a tribe of 12 that did win the world! What a great challenge for leaders!

Jesus didn’t spend His earthly ministry trying to do everything himself, or His vision for His church would not have survived! He had to invest in others to the point they were not just PASSIONATE about the Gospel vision, they OWNED it, and it OWNED them!

We need to examine our philosophy and strategy of leadership. Are we trying to carry a single or multiple visions by ourselves, burning the candle at both ends “trying to get it done.” Or, are we investing and equipping a group of leaders that will move things and go places we never imagined. I believe that was Jesus’ heart, and that’s why He said, “greater things will you do.”

When God gives a BIG vision, that person generally doesn’t see it fulfilled! (i.e., Moses, Abraham & Jesus)

If the vision is only about YOU it will die with you. Invest and plant it it others and the vision will live WITHOUT you! That’s what Jesus did!

Are you willing to lead like Jesus did, and give the vision away?

Posted in Vision Casting | Tagged invest, Jesus, leadership, philosophy | Leave a comment