John Sweetman

So far I've emphasised the importance of vision in leadership, but the big question is, how do you get a vision?

There's no easy answer to this. Sometimes your vision is more or less given to you because you are part of an organisation with a clear vision. You don't really have much choice. It's easy. (Though you will need to personalise it for your leadership role.)

• Sometimes it just comes from God out of the blue. A number of times I've been walking and praying and suddenly it has just hit me.

• Sometimes it comes through a long process of consultation and prayer. You talk to stakeholders, pray with others, discuss possibilities, and gradually discern the vision.
• Sometimes it's provided by a mentor. Someone wise who knows you and your leadership role well suggests a vision for you.
• Sometimes it emerges from a team as you dream together.

I'm sorry - there is no formula. But if you are leading then you need to be leading somewhere. If you don't know where you are going, how can people follow you? You need vision.

Here are a few ideas if you are seeking vision:

1. Pray lots. Vision has to come from God and is most likely to be discerned when you are praying. You want to know where God is leading. That way you won't waste time chasing something unimportant. Fasting can also be beneficial. Look for God's wisdom and direction in Scripture.

2. Be brutally honest. Be aware of both the potential and failings of your organisation/team. Admit your own strengths and weaknesses. Be honest about the challenges. God-given vision emerges from reality not pretence. You don't have to be afraid of the present. Any vision has to start with what God has given you now.
3. Talk to people. The vision doesn't have to come from you. Where do your team members think God is calling? What do your mentors say? Toss around ideas.
4. Dream. What are your passions? What could God do? What do you dream of?

If you have any practical questions about discerning your vision, don't hesitate to put them on the blog and I (and others) will have a go at answering them. It's easy to theorise about vision, but it's tougher when it comes to actually nailing a vision down.

Mark Broadbent

Keep your eye on effective leaders and churches.

Although it is valuable to read books and blogs about post-modernism, generation y and the emerging church, I still think I learn far more by watching what effective young adult churches are doing.

HERE ARE SOME CHURCHES WORTH WATCHING...
www.lifechurch.tv
> Innovation
> Technology
> Simplicity

www.buckheadchurch.org
> Ministering to Singles
> Simplicity
> Worship Music
> Communicating the Gospel Clearly

www.marshillchurch.org
> Communicating Gospel Clearly
> Reaching Men
> Technology

www.fellowshipchurch.com
> Creative Ways to Communicate

HERE ARE SOME PODCASTS WORTH LISTENING TO...

> Andy Stanley
> Mark Driscoll
> Kyle Idleman
> Tim Lucas
> John Burke
> Erwin McManus

A FEW OTHER THOUGHTS...
> Don't just blindly copy what others are doing. Not because we need to be original or different, but because we need to figure out the best way to reach the people God has called us to reach.  

> Keep in mind that most of these churches are ministering to thousands of  people. You need to figure out what you can do in your context. You also need to figure out what is needed in your context.

> Some would also recommend Hillsong. I don't tend to watch them too  much because Hillsong doesn't really suit our seeker-sensitive style. There is a lot of church culture in what they do. We do however sing Hillsong United songs, and go to their conference. I think that many young adult ministries could learn heaps from Hillsong.

> Some also recommend Rob Bell. I really really like Rob Bell. He seems like a nice guy. I like his approach to communication. But I wonder if his target is people who've grown up in the U.S. church but have not really connected with it. I find there is a fair bit of assumed information, and I wonder how helpful he is for people who don't understand the gospel (?) 

> Mark Driscoll can be quite offensive to some. He is excellent at reaching men, but many women would be quite offended by him. Driscoll is also quite  authoritarian and can be very narrow. He is excellent on the gospel though. 

Previous Posts...
Part 1: You need a critical mass of about 50 people.
Part 2: Don't assume they understand the gospel

Sam Jackson

I was struck with the power of a simple thing last week.

Most of us love to eat...indeed all of us need to eat. Most of our meals are spent alone by ourselves or with family, and yet some of the most significant encounters Jesus had with people was in the context of a dinner party. Last week, it hit me just how powerful the simple act of sharing a meal in a large group can be. 

Our young adult small group (of about 16 young adults, mostly aged between 18 and 22) started out time together with a massive cook up of good old spaghetti bolognaise. It took alot of effort to organise, especially to cook in our small kitchen, but the pay off was superb...

A meal is the world's greatest ice breaker. If you want to help people to get to know each other, forget the cheesy ice breaker - "if you were a super-hero, which one would you be?" Just fry up some mince, boil some pasta and serve - the perfect ice breaker.

It set the scene for great sharing as we moved from dinner to our 'study'. The group seemed much more inclined and comfortable sharing their lives with others than they had in the many weeks previous. There was something about eating together that broke down the shy-wall.

It created a sweet sense of community. As the night progressed, the community 'vibe' was enhanced more than ever before. It just felt like family! On reflection I realised that when we meet with other people on a week night, we usually eat at home alone or with family and then go out. Eating together created that sense of family in our group.

It's not a new idea to eat together. It's a simple thing. Yes, it takes a bit of extra effort (more for some than others) but the pay-off is worth it!

Link

Michael McKinney
If you are like most of us, anything going on but what you want, warrants a complaint. Not an action-oriented, let's get this solved kind of complaint, but your everyday run-of-the-mill mindless kind of complaining that leads nowhere (except to more negative thinking).

Jon Gordon, author of The No Complaining Rule,says there are two main reasons why we complain: (1) because we are fearful and feel helpless and (2) because it has become a habit. He urges us to outgrow the complaining habit. He cites a Gallup poll that finds that negativity costs companies nearly $300 billion each year.

"In life," Gordon writes, "you have a choice between two roads. The positive road and the negative road. The positive road will lead to enhanced health, happiness, and success and the negative road will lead to misery, anger, and failure. Since your bus can't be on two roads at the same time, you must decide which road you want to be on. And when you complain you travel down the negative road."

As former chronic complainer, Gordon effectively delivers his message through a story. The No Complaining Rule doesn't rule out complaining - it requires that it be constructive.

Employees are not allowed to mindlessly complain to their coworkers. If they have a problem or complaint about their job, their company, their customer, or anything else, they are encouraged to bring the issue to their manager or someone who is in a position to address the complaint. However, the employees must share one or two possible solutions to their complaint as well.

Gordon explains how do develop a positive culture by creating a culture where negativity can't breed, grow, and survive. A crucial key is to all this is to focus on gratitude. "Research shows that when we count three blessings a day, we get a measurable boost in happiness that uplifts and energizes us. It's also physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. Two thoughts cannot occupy our mind at the same time. If you are focusing on gratitude, you can't be negative. You can also energize and engage your coworkers by letting them know you are grateful for them and their work."

Start a revolution in your own life, at work and at home. Download free No Complaining Rule posters and other tools from Jon Gordon’s web site. Have no complaining day!

Link

Last month, Carlos Whittaker of Buckhead Church (Atlanta, GA) blogged the dangerous question:

What is the biggest gripe you have about something a Sunday worship leader does?

The 185+ responses were fascinating, insightful, and offensive to some. To cut through the clutter of all of the opinions, I made a very rough tally of all the pet peeves to determine the top 10 pet peeves about worship leaders. Keep in mind these are subjective opinions.

Top 10 Pet Peeves About Worship Leaders (with examples)

1. Asking the Congregation to do Something (21 responses)
   >> Makes us shake hands with the people around us.
   >> When a worship leader tells you to lift up your hands, it
   takes a meaningful personal action and turns it into a obligatory
   command.
   >> Talks like they’re at a high school pep rally, “Let me hear ya!”
   >> Asks how everyone is doing. We’re not at a concert, so we’re not going to scream.
   >> Tells you what to do and how to worship… to the point where it
   makes you feel guilty if you don’t conform yourself to her/his
   understanding of what worship is.
   >> I hate it when worship leaders script the worship too much by
   telling people what to do. I’ve had worship leaders completely distract
   me from God when they start telling me what to do.
2. Mini-Sermons & Talking (20 responses)
   >> Talks between every song.
   >> I am distracted when worship leaders start talking about anything that is not directions on what we are about to do.
   >> When they repeat the same catch-phrases every week.
   >> Breathy speaking between songs.
   >> Sermonettes are annoying if too long or common
   >> You can tell a mile away when a worship leader is “sharing”
   because he feels obligated to. It’s always a cheesy or over emotional
   blurb. When God’s really laid something on a worship leader’s heart,
   it’s cool. But even then, say it in less than 45 seconds! Don’t meander
   on for 3 minutes.
3. Not Focusing on God (17 responses)
   >> Forget that the audience of worship is God and start making it a performance for those sitting in front of them.
   >> When they perform rather than worship themselves.
   >> Showing zero emotion, standing still, focusing too much on perfection.
   >> Worship leaders who seem really wrapped up in being “cool.”
   >> Sometimes you can tell they’re being fake and/or showy.
   >> I hate it when the music guy/gal asks the crowd to praise God
   but soaks it up like they are Bono and the crowd is really praising
   them.
   >> I hate it when worship leaders don’t lead people.
4. Unprofessional (14 responses)
   >> Starts service late.
   >> Typos on the screen.
   >> Talks to the praise band while leading worship instead of using hand signals to tell them what to do.
   >> When the leader changes the key of the song and does not tell the rest of the team.
   >> Goes out of order or adds another song in the middle of the set
   >> When the leader and/or band member turns away from the people to mess with their gear.
   >> When the production team on stage are laughing, joking, and
   gesturing behind the worship leader to the soundboard guys in the
   transition between worship and the message.

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE

Perry Noble
Last week we were meeting as a Senior Management Team and the conversation became a little tense...ok, it became a LOT tense.

Here are four things as the leader of that meeting that I did NOT do...

#1 - I Didn't Try To Resolve the Tension

I dropped the notion a few years ago that meetings should be fun, happy, special events with songs, unicorns and cotton candy!

The bottom line in meetings is this...if you have leaders then every single one of them has an opinion that they are willing to fight for...and when their opinion doesn't match up with someone else's...spark will fly! Which...is AWESOME because a lot of issues are resolved as a result of the room becoming a little tense.

#2 - I Didn't Try To Make Everyone Happy

One of the worst things a leader can do is try to please everyone in a meeting...which is tough because if you are anything like me you HATE unresolved tension. BUT...if the people you have at the table are big boys and girls...they can work it out.

Besides...someone COULD BE WRONG...and to try and make them happy is nothing more than you allowing yourself to facilitate dysfunction!

#3 - I Didn't Try To Change The Subject

I used to do this a lot as a leader...an issue would be thrown out, tempers would flare and I would call for a break or try to go on to something else...

Which was never a good thing! When true feelings about a topic come out-that is the BEST time to drill down on whatever issue is out there and deal with it. Pretending it isn't there does nothing more than actually allows for tension to exist WAY beyond the meeting.

#4 - I Didn't Get Angry At Anyone

I love it when the guys argue in front of me. Seriously! I love to see their fire and passion. And yes, I even love it when they argue with me. (By the way...the argument should NEVER become a personal attack...that's a sign of immaturity!)

And so...when tension exists in the room I don't feel the need to lecture...I actually feel the need to learn. You can learn a lot about the guys & gals at your leadership table by merely sitting back and observing what they are willing to fight for. (And...if you don't have anyone who ever fights...get them out of there!!!)

Just a few thoughts...maybe I will one day blog about what we were all fighting about! :-)

Link

John Sweetman

It may only appear to be semantics, but it's actually important to distinguish between vision and core values. Otherwise you might find yourself working well and healthily, but not actually getting anywhere.  

Your vision describes what you are trying to achieve. It's a picture of the future that calls you to make sacrifices so that it can be accomplished. It's not present yet. It's a dream of the future.

Your core values are the essential principles through which your vision will be achieved. We all have core values. For example, I believe that team is vital to leadership. So I make a big effort to develop a healthy team in my leadership. Wherever I am leading, whatever the vision, I will work at developing a leadership team. It's one of my core values. But it's not my vision. It's an essential means by which the vision will be achieved.

Maybe I'm getting too complicated here, but a vision, when it is achieved, can actually become a core value. When I was pastoring at Bracken Ridge we had a God-given vision to become a large, healing, community church. Once we achieved this, momentum died because our vision had actually become one of our core values. We no longer had a dream of the future that called us forward.

Anyway, what I'm saying is that you will have core values. It may actually be helpful to write these down. What is vital to you as you lead? They will already be true for you (even if others may not agree). They will be non-negotiable for you.  

But a vision is something that at the moment is only a dream. Something that will need your effort and God's intervention to achieve. Your vision calls you forward. It's something God places in your heart. We'll look more at this next week.

Mark Broadbent

#2 Don't assume that they understand the gospel

George Barna found that almost half of all people attending church are not  trusting in Christ alone to get them to heaven. Our experience with young adults confirms this.

TYPICALLY WE MEET PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE...
1. God loves me (but only if I perform)

2. God sent Jesus into the world to die on a cross. Somehow the death of Jesus makes it possible for me to be forgiven.

3. If I commit my life to Jesus and promise to obey him, then I will be saved. 

4. Should I slip and fall and struggle to obey, then I can't really be sure that I will be saved.

OUR APPROACH...
I am not saying that our approach is perfect, and we have made many mistakes. However, in the last 6 months, we are celebrating that we have seen 20 people respond to the gospel and many more become more confident of how to explain it to their friends. 

1. Make sure you and your leaders understand the gospel.
Can you answer these questions: Are you sure you are going to heaven? Do you know why Jesus had to die? Why do I ask for forgiveness if I am already forgiven for past, present and future sin? What is the connection between the death of Jesus and my forgiveness? What happens at conversion? Are you trusting in Christ alone to save you, or are you trying to add your good works to the work of Christ. 

2. Emphasize these key doctines:
> There is a coming wrath for those who don't trust in Jesus
> We must trust in Christ alone (and not Christ + our good works)
> Jesus pays for past, present and future sins (not just past sins)
> Jesus pays for accidental and deliberate sins (not just accidental sins)
> Eternal life starts the moment you place your faith in Christ (you don't have to wait until you die to find out if you are going to heaven)
> Repentance means to 'change your mind' about sin (it doesn't mean to change your life. That comes later once we receive the Spirit)
> By placing our faith in Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit, who will bring about fruit
> By placing our faith in Jesus, we receive forgiveness of sins, which will bring about a grateful heart which wants to serve God

3. Take every opportunity to bring out the gospel.
We share the gospel at least in part every single week.

4. Do 6-8 messages/year specifically on the gospel.
"Why did Jesus have to die?". "Faith and works", "How can I be sure I am going to heaven?", "The conversion experience", "Is Jesus the only way?", etc.

5. Do at least 2 entire series on the gospel at depth every year.
We have done Romans, Galatians, What's so amazing about grace?, Ephesians, etc.

6. Stop asking people to make a commitment.
I know some will disagree with me on this, but we need to stop talking about commitment and start talking about faith. Is it just me, but I thought we were saved by faith and not works? Here is some of the ways we ask people to respond...
> Place your entire life and eternity into Jesus' hands
> Trust in Jesus to pay for your sin and receive the Holy Spirit
> Stop trying to earn your way to heaven and bet the farm on Jesus' finished work on the cross
> You need to let Jesus save you and transform you

7. Don't ask people to become Christians, they already are :)
Nicky Gumble (guy who wrote Alpha) says that most people who come to church think that they are already Christians. So don't ask them to become a Christian. Rather ask them 'What are you trusting in?', 'Are you sure you're going to heaven?', 'Have you ever come to a point where you've trusted Jesus to save you and transform you?'

8. Run a Basic Christianity course
This is good idea for the unchurched, newcomers, churched non-Christians, new Christians, and Christians who want to share their faith. In other words.. EVERYBODY!!! If you are looking for a good course for young adults, I recommend H20. Check out the videos here. Or the preview below... 

I was reading the other morning in the OT...that if a prophet doesn't preach repentance then he isn't a true prophet.

Pastor, any time you begin to call people out in their sin...the fertilizer will hit the fan...and you will be labeled as an intolerant, judgmental preacher.

BUT...

The only people who get angry when you preach on giving are those who bow before money.

The only people who get angry when you preach on sexual immorality are the sexual immoral.

The only people who get angry when you preach on adultery are those who are committing adultery...or those who really want to.

The only people who get angry when you preach on gossip are the people on the prayer chain...uh...I mean those who are gossiping.

Pastors, speaking about sin isn't easy...but it's right. We are called to call for confession and repentance...and offer hope for those who are willing to follow Christ.

If someone isn't angry at you then pray for God to set you on fire and lead you to preach a message that will hit the majority of your church between the eyes...and then HANG ON!

This is worth a look...

All the best blogs on church leadership at a glance. 

Click here for see more.

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