Church planting is something that has always interested me. I have never been a church planter, and God’s calling on my life has always leaned toward church revitalization. However, I’ve visited church plants and I’ve been involved in assisting or supporting a few of them. And they’ve always interested me.
Have you ever fallen asleep at work? It was a season of life that I’ll never forget; just before and after our first son was born. Wow, that was a lot of work! My wife, Nicole, and I were living in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada. I was commuting daily into Calgary, for a full-time sales position within the hospitality industry. I was good at my job, meeting sales targets and receiving bonuses. And yet, the hours were long and hard.
When it’s time to captain the team instead of coaching it. You have a great team, and you’ve been coaching well. That’s fantastic and should be celebrated. However, let’s not forget that in any area of leadership, you’re not only on the sidelines, you’re also in the game.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post focusing on why coaches make great pastors. After a great conversation with a friend about the post, I realized that this topic doesn’t just pastors. So, let’s reframe this conversation around all leaders.
My heart sank. As I worked my way around the camp, I surveyed the damages. After reporting the incident to the police, I notified a few of our board members. As I initially explained what had happened to our newly elected Treasurer, he gave me these encouraging words. “God is good and He will work good out of this somehow.”
While living in Alaska, as a Canadian, I often felt culturally alone. Though struggling, I continued with my calling, trying to depend on God to comfort me in times of loneliness. Thankfully, He placed a Canadian friend into my life, whose home would become my Canadian oasis.
“You’ll do it because I’m your boss.” For some reason, this statement motivated a previous generation. Not in this post-modern world! This kind of statement is a surefire way to get a team member to quit. Note, I said “team member”.
For anyone who works with students, we make it our job to visit schools, strip malls and skate parks; trying to connect with unchurched youth. The passion is pure, with a deep desire for those students to know and follow Jesus. Yet, the youth church (not the youth group) we create couldn’t be more uncomfortable for these students.
Have you ever met anyone who claims to be a bona fide palm reader, fortune-teller or tarot card reader? If so, have you ever asked them what they think of Jesus. Some of you may have immediately concluded that it would be foolish to connect with such a person. And perhaps it is on some level, depending on one’s level of spiritual maturity.
Their response is frustrating. Alas, you feel obligated to continue with your pitch. It’s the first time you try to discuss social media with a parent, a leader, an elder, a deacon or worse, a pastor who seems to be aggressively against online community.
What would the Olympics look like without judges? How necessary are they, really? Perhaps the athletes could do it themselves, in a diplomatic sort of way? They could get together and discuss each others’ routines and come up with the deserving winner. Would that work?
I just got back from my first run in a long time, and I have the Olympics to thank for it. I know I should be glued to my television, but watching these athletes seems to push me off of the couch. Does this happen to everyone or just me?