The Low Down

Synergy '10

I'm currently working on my breakout session for Synergy Youth Worker's Conference and I am so excited to share what God is laying on my heart. I've been asked to share some thoughts from my book, but I'm not the guy who comes and shares word for word what I have already written. Yes, I'll share a few stories that are in the book, but I also have some others "up my sleeve". So come and hang with me. What God has lead me to speak about and identify are seven potential killers of your student ministry dreams. Please, don't become a casualty! Come check out the session. We're only a few days away! I can't wait.

C3 Conference Quotes - Ed Young Sessions

What an incredible day this has been. Today kicked off an amazing line of speakers and encouraging words from the Creative Communication's Conference (or C3) in Grapevine, Texas. This is my second year attending and today's communicators rocked the Word. Here are a few of the most incredible comments of the day and a brief description of the context they were used in from Pastor Ed Young.

Ed Young kicked off the day with an amazing message series entitled, "Crazy Pills". He mentioned that in ministry we come into contact with a lot of crazy people. Yes, there is a good crazy, but he was talking about the crazy crazy people. He said in his first session when talking about Daniel that, "Living a life of integrity allows you to eventually have opportunities to speak into people's lives." How true! We all remember the story of Belshazzar and the writing on the wall in the book of Daniel. When it came time for an interpretation of the writing on the wall, Daniel was called upon - why? Because of his reputation as a man of God. Belshazzar had 12 hours to repent, his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar had 12 months to repent. Neither one did. The truth is that we really don't often learn from history. Powerful words.

Ed also went on to talk about another crazy king, Darius the Mede. In Daniel chapter 6, Daniel is accused of not listening to Darius by some envious satraps. Scripture says that the accusers tell Darius that "they are saying that Daniel is not listening to the King". Darius' first mistake was not calling on Daniel to get the real scoop. Ed says that a good rule of thumb is to always ask who "they" are. Chances are that "they" is not a group, but is in fact only a small few. Another issue was that Darius was dealing with pride. The advisors encouraged Darius to make a decree that no one would pray to anyone for thirty days except to him. Cool? No. Guess who he didn't seek counsel from? Yep, Dan the man. Ed Young says, "A pride ride is a wicked ride." I was also encouraged when Ed said that we need to, "Feel free to release people over the issue of pride." You and I can't afford to allow prideful people to minister in our churches. We have to be willing to confront in love, that's what pastors do. He said that, "ministry is brut-iful". It's a job that occassionally requires us to get in people's grill in order to help them become who God wants them to be. He said that when, "Pride walks on the stage, God walks off." So we have to do our best to discern the hearts of our people and call them to live and walk hunbly before their God.

Another great thing Ed said when talking about tithing, money and faith in reference to the lead pastor, he said, "Pastors, if a businessman can explain the way that you financially run your church, then you probably aren't running it right." Think about that for a minute and let it sink in.

Session two with Ed this morning was amazing because he was completely transparent with us. He talked about tough moments in ministry for him. The Monday morning blues, dealing with a spirit of competitiveness. He used the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel. He said that, "After the showdown, there is always a let down." So we have to rest, refuel, and rely on God. He said to make sure we H.A.L.T. (Never make decisions when we are Hungry, Angery, Lonely, or Tired). Good stuff!

The two sessions with Ed were amazing. We also sat under the ministry of Bill Cornelius, Jentzen Franklin and Ben Young today. I'll be sure to share some of those quotes with you. So stay tuned for some more good stuff. God is just rocking my world and I am literally having the time of my life. Check back!

Dreams: The Opinion

I have always said that when it comes to your God-given dream, that everyone else will have their opinion about it. Everyone wants and believes that their dreams will come true, but when it comes to the dreams of others, we tend to see with a "clearer perspective" (or so we think). All of our dreams are possible, but others dreams are a bit far fetched.

Until recently, many never knew that I was writting a book. I purposely kept quiet about writing because I wanted to guard my dream. I wanted to remain hopeful about my project.

I think Joseph in the book of Genesis knew this all too well. He was sold into slavery and paid an incredible price for his dream. Yet he never gave up. Years later, as Joseph was holding down his new job in Egypt, scripture says that Joseph was now in his 30's. Nearly 20 years had passed since Joseph had delivered his "I had some dreams" speech, and now famine was hitting the land. Not just Egypt, but the entire region - including Canaan. And eleven hungry brothers set off for Egypt in search for some food for their families to survive.

At this time, Joseph was second in command in Egypt. He had an Egyptian name, married an Egyptian babe (probably twice as hot as Potiphar's wife), was a father to Egyptian children, wore the Egyptian garb, and spoke the language. If anyone had learned how to blend in, it was Joe. But we can only imagine what it was like when his brothers came through the city gates and bowed at his feet. Of course they didn't recognize him through his new look and new life, but I'm convinced that they also didn't recognize him because they didn't expect his dream to come true either.

So remember that when someone tries to crush your God-dream, that God gave that dream to you because He knew He could trust you with it. Don't let someone steal your God given dream, guard it. If you have allowed someone to steal it, fight to get it back. Remember that God's dream for your life is the best possible you.

Dreams: The Opposition

Another important thing to remember about your God given dream is that, Not Everyone Will Understand it. So don't expect everyone that you share it with to buy into it heart and soul like you have. In fact, understand that your dream from God is precious. As the gospels say, be careful, "casting your pearls before swine." In other words, keep those things that are precious to you close. There will be scoffers and nay sayers (count on that). In fact, I think that's one area of wisdom that a young Mary had when she was given word by the angel of the Lord that she would be carrying the Christ child. Scripture says that she, "kept the word dear to her heart." I don't think she went about blabbing her dream. Who would have believed her anyway? The Son of God, born to a virgin? No way.

Now for Joseph, I think that we can learn some lessons from his story by the reaction and the opposition that he faced with his God dream. In Genesis 37, Joseph begins to spill out his two dreams and their interpretation in front of his ten big brothers. He begins to talk about sheaves of grain and I can just envision Levi shooting a blank stare at Simeon. Over on the opposite side of the family circle, Gad nudges Ruben with his elbow as Joseph begins to talk about the sun, moon, and the stars bowing down to him. The young, exhuberent and naive Joseph was pouring out his most precious ambitions with people whom he thought he could trust. Which points out to us that sometimes even the people closest to us, people who we would deem as "safe," will often disappoint us when it comes to the affirmation of our God dream for our lives.

I can remember as a young boy how difficult it was to learn to play the guitar. With only Alfred's guitar chord chart to learn from, I can remember grabbing a small acoustic guitar that I had received as a Christmas gift and I can remember plucking and strumming that little guitar until my families' ears were soar. Needless to say, if my hopes of playing the guitar were defined by the feedback that I received, I would have never learned how to play. But today I have the honor each Sunday of leading worship and playing with an incredible worship team. Every Wednesday night, I have the opportunity to lead students in some pretty incredible praise and worship.

The bottom line: You have to have a passion for God's dream that will drive you past the opposition. And you will face opposition. Scripture says that, "In this life you wil have trials, but take heart for I have overcome the world." Friend, God has given you a dream for a reason - it's simply because that dream fulfilled in you is the best possible you! So whatever the larger than life size dream that God has given you, learn to guard it with all of your heart!

Leadership Principle #5

I hope you have been able to glean from some of these principles that I have tossed out there to you.  I believe so strongly in them and they have helped to shape my life and ministry and still are shaping the way I do things each and every day.  The last principle is probably my favorite:

"Leaders Need to Empower others for Greatness"

Hebrews 10:24 says that we need to, "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."  AND it is important for us to realize that if we are going to be good leaders, then we need to work on empowering those around us.  Sometimes this is a difficult area of leadership to tackle for a few different reasons. 

First of all, it can be tough for someone if they are from the old school philosophy that says, "if you want anything to get done right, then do it yourself."  Friends, the gospel didn't spread directly to the ends of the world from the mouth of Jesus.  He didn't travel to every continent himself to speak.  He was the very Son of God and yet He still chose to empower and train up disciples to go out and spread His message.  So let's not kid ourselves.  The only reason why we would stick to this method is because we are too scarred to trust others and we fear what they might do to our "precious" ministries. 

I had the opportunity to hear Brian Houston pastor of Hillsong Church preach a few weeks ago and during that message he shared a funny and powerful illustration.  He shared about a trip he took to Africa and while he was there he was able to venture out on one of those really incredible wildlife safari's.  During the safari he saw a huge elephant off in the distance.  A huge gray elephant with large ivory tusks.  It had to way 10,000 pounds.  So what did Brian do?  Probably what we all would have done.  He grabbed his cell phone and held it up.  "I held it like my daugther does when she wants to take a picture of herself," Brian said in his Australian accent.  He wanted a picture with the elephant in the background.  "I brought that picture with me for you to see it today," he said.  The crowd began to buzz a bit in anticipation as Brian flashed the picture up on the screen.  All you could see was his mug.  Where was the elephant?  In real time behind him was this gargantuan elephant and yet his face consumed every inch of the picture.  Why?  As Brian put it, sometimes we need to take ourselves out of the frame.  One of the biggest reasons why we don't empower others is because we have a hard time removing ourselves from the frame and letting someone else slip in.  Will you take yourself out of the picture long enought to let someone else step in and be equipped and trained and given that same excitement that you and I have for Jesus and His ministry?

Another reason we might fail to equip and empower is probably a direct result from our lack of time and resources.  Pastors and leaders are extremely busy people.  In 24 hours I will be leading a team of 10 to Monterrey, Mexico.  LIfe is busy!  However we should never be too busy for people, especially people who desire to do great things for God.  God did not call us to a program or an organization.  He called us to make disciples - and last time I checked that meant people and not events.

So as a leader let me challenge you to obtain a passion for people.  If there is a willing and able body with breath around you - begin to pour into that person and empower them to do something that you do.  Andy Stanly says in his book, "Next Generation Leader," to find out what it is that you do best in ministry - something that you feel is what you are called to do - something you just have to do, and then find other people around you to equip to do the rest.  If we are busy people, why not train and empower someone to do some of the things that we do.  Who knows, if we encourage them enough and move out of the frame we might find that they do a better job than we do!  AND there is nothing wrong with that.      

Leadership Principle #4

Here is my 4th "Undeniable Principle for leadership": 

"Leaders Need to Fight for God's Vision"

Wow, it's so true.  Not only do we need to obtain God's vision like we talked about previously in principle #3, but we need to also fight for God's vision.  What do I mean?  Let's take Noah for example.  (And why not, I just saw Evan Almighty this weekend).  So God gave Noah a vision and told him to build an ark.  Noah had never seen rain fall from the sky.  In those days, the morning dew on the ground was sufficient enough to supply plant life with the water it needed.  It had never rained before.  Sure Noah probably saw a boat, but one so large that it could become a sanctuary for life would be completely ludicrous?  As you can imagine 'people be hatin on Noah'.  Even in Biblical times people knew how to shout a man down.  "Noah, are you an idiot that you would build a boat that large away from the ocean on dry ground"?  "Noah you have been watching too much CNN man.  Do you really think that it is going to rain and the earth is going to flood and that you will need a boat that big?"  People began to laugh and insult, but Noah dodged the flak from everyone.  Why?  Because he realized that sometimes you have to fight for God's vision.

Take Peter as another example.  Matthew 17:1 says that Jesus takes the big three (Peter, James and John) up the mountain side to just hangout and be alone for a while.  During the time they are up there, Moses and Elijah show up.  Sweet!  Peter gets so excited that he tells Jesus, "Listen Jesus, if you want I will build some tents up here. We'll camp out and sing koombayah and we'll never have to go down from the moutain again.  We'll just bask in the glory and splendor."  This was one of those rash Simon Peter moments.  You know, one of those pull the sword out and cut off the soldier's ear kind of act now and think later moments.  You see, what Peter forgot was that Jesus had brought them up the mountain to experience something and catch a vision to take back to the people.  Not only did Peter miss the vision, he quit fighting for it altogether. 

My friend, as God's leader you are responsible and accountable for the vision God gives you.  AND following God's vision may mean stepping into the ring and fighting for it.  Proverbs 29:18 tells us that "without vision, the people will perish."  Like Noah, sometimes fighting for God's vision will cause us to lose some people in the process.  It's difficult to ever watch someone we love walk away because of differences.  But don't back down when it comes to following the plan and purpose of God.  Understand that God's vision is worth losing people over.  (Now make sure it's God's vision before you lose them.  Hit your knees and pray).  But ultimatley understand that you and I are responsible for implementing the vision that God has called us to, and that sometimes we're going to have to roll up our sleeves to make what God wants - happen.       

Leadership Principle #3

"Leaders Need to Recieve God's Vision"

Proverbs 29:18 tells us that, "without vision, the people perish".  It's so true, but let me add this as well - without vision, the leader can't lead.  Without vision the leader has no direction.  Withouth vision, the leader is lost in the midst of the pack.  Vision is essential.  Right now I am battling the issue of going and getting glasses.  First of all, I don't want to spend a lot of money when I can still somewhat see alright.  Sure, things are fuzzy from time to time (far distances especially - "Hey honey what does this sign coming up say?") but as long as I don't go see any movies with subtitles I should be alright.  AND...secondly, I'm not sure if I will look cool in glasses.  So what it basically boils down to is that I am battling a PRIDE issue here.  Don't hate, just pray for me. 

However, the lesson learned is that because I am not willing to pay the price or endure the humility of a new look I am missing out on some of the vision that is easily available to me.  How many times do we forfeit spiritual vision because we are not willing to pay the price?  How many times do we avoid being cool and in the process throw the vision out with the bath water? 

As leaders we need to obtain God's vision for our lives and ministries.  AND let me add this - Don't get off of your knees until you have it.  There are times when I feel like I can't move forward until I seek the Lord.  There are times when I know that I am headed in the right direction and there are other days when I am looking to the Lord and his road map to get me from A to B.  What about you?  Do you call yourself a leader?  Do you teach a Sunday school class, run a youth ministry, head up the missions comittee in your church?  If you do, then you need God's vision because if you are functioning on your own understanding then odds are you aren't leading you are simply the only one in the group who has a voice.  A voice that isn't directed by God's vision.  Think about it! 

Leadership Principle #2

Sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to the topic of Leadership, but hopefully you have been fully anticipating the next undeniable principle of leadership.  That principle is this... "Leaders Need to Serve as well as Lead". 

Any good leader has at one time or another been a good servant. I am currently reading an incredible book called, "God's Armor Bearer" by Terry Nance. It's an incredible book, and it has caused me to realize that in order to be a good leader I must first serve a great leader. Think about it. In order for Elisha to become the incredible man of God - prophet that he was, he first had to carry Elijah's cloak. David, in order to be an incredible king known as a man after God's own heart, first needed to enter the castle of the king not as a king himself, but as a lowly servant strumming on a harp.

If we want to be awesome leaders, then we need to learn how to serve. So let me encourage you to find someone that you can submit to and then pour your life into working to help that person. As Craig Groeschel says in his book, "Confessions of a Pastor." Show up at church this week and blow your pastor away by saying, "The answer is 'yes'. Now what is the question." Take a cup of coffee to your boss without being asked. Go the extra mile. Be willing to serve and as you do you will learn what it takes to become the leader that God is calling you to be.

Leadership Principle #1

As I posted a few days ago, there are some leadership principles that are undeniable if you truly want to be a person who leads.  What we all should know and understand up front is that Leadership is not for everyone.  In fact, there are many today who should just be content to find God's man or woman and follow them with all of their heart.  If you can live life without being a leader, do it!  However, if you are called by God to lead then you might want to check out some of these thoughts....

Leadership Principle #1

     "Leaders Need to Lead"

If you are called to be a leader, then please lead.  Don't look to someone else to make your decisions.  Understand that you are God's anointed one.  He has called you to lead, so step up and take the helm.  Sure there are times when leading can be intimidating and knowing the right direction to go can take a lot of time on your knees listening from God.  But understand that the person to hear from God is you.  It's not the decision of the comittee.  It's not determined by a two-thirds majority vote.  If you are God's leader, then you need to be the one to step up to the plate. 

I have heard it said before that, "Leaders can't lead from the middle of the pack, and they certainly can't lead from the back."  No, the leader needs to mount up in the saddle and get geared up to sound the charge.  As the leader you can't pass the buck to someone else.  It's your responsibility and you alone will be the one who God looks to for an account.  So leader, please don't burry your head in the sand and try to hide.  If you have allowed yourself to be placed in a position of leadership, then rise up. Realize that if God has called you He will equip you.  He would never give you a task that you could not accomplish.  So here's the bottom line, confidence in leadership comes when you have spent enough time in the presence of God.  Confidence in leadership becomes a reality when you have spent enough time with the Leader of leaders.   

Five Undeniable Principles for Leadership

Over the next few days I am going to be posting what I believe are five of the most incredible and undeniable principles that every leader needs to know, possess, and apply to their personal lives and ministry.