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Leadership Interdependibility

Leaders need to be accountable. Accountable means being "interdependent" with others in the church. This has been soaking in my brain since reading 1 Tim. 2 where Paul says a woman is not to have authority over a man. The word he uses means "independent authority". Women are not to have "independent authority". But then no one is to have independent authority. Not any man in the church. Not any leader in the church. Not any pastor in the church.

BUT.this is contrary to how so many churches function - and how accountability was in my ministry for so many years. Accountability for the pastor, in many churches, means "dependence". For example, in my past ministries, I was dependent on another board to do things. Any ideas I had - had to be approved by the board. Even the vision I believed God had for the church was subject - or "dependent" on the board's approval. Accountability meant "dependence". "The Board" holds "the pastor" accountable means "the pastor" depends on "the board" for approval.

The other extreme - which also happens in too many churches, is "independent" leading. There is zero accountability. The pastor does what he wants, when he wants, and needs no one, no how to run it by first. This type of leadership and lack of accountability is as dangerous and abusive as "dependent" leadership.

I believe we are to be "interdependent". We work together. We talk with each other. We sound ideas off each other. We know each other relationally to the point where I know how you think and you know how I think. The body of Christ is meant to be "interdependent" and this goes for the leadership and pastor(s). Accountability is relational and "interdependent". Sure, the pastor may have a major influence - but then he should. He is the one who is living and breathing church and ministry 24/7. He is the one with the training and experience. He is the one who reads books, blogs, and talks to pastors from all over. It is his profession that he spends 50-60 hours a week engaged in. BUT.he still does not just do without accountability - "interdependent" accountability.

This is the kind of leadership I want to see at Meadow, and I am thankful at Meadow to have the staff that I can be "interdependent" with and an Advisory Team I can be "interdependent" with. And this new form and function of Leadership Team (that we should have started long time ago) is looking to raise the "interdependent" factor of accountability even higher. This is the kind of accountability we need to strive for on our ministry teams and in our community groups.

When I get alone with God

What do I do when I "get alone" with God?  How do I listen to God talk to me about Meadow, my family, and life?

The #1 way and thing I do is read and study the Bible.  My goal is to do this everyday.  However, reality is that I probably hit 5-6 days a week.  I spend anywhere from 15-45 minutes just reading and studying and thinking through applications.  Lately, I have been reading/studying 1 Timothy.  You can see what God has been challenging me with and follow His leading in my life at Journey of a Growing Faith.

I pray.  My primary prayer time is in the morning when I am alone in my office.  It is quiet.  I have the lights down low.  I pray about what God is teaching me through the Bible.  I pray for my family, the Meadow staff, the Meadow leadership team, my Starting Point group, Meadow as a whole, individuals requests that have been sent to me, personal friends who are far from God.  I pray for myself and my hearing the promptings of God, my leadership as a father and pastor.  Lately, I have been praying a lot for "23" and the people who are inviting friends.  I don't pray for all of these every time I pray.  I don't really watch the time I spend in prayer.  If I did, it would probably be 15-30 minutes or so.

I shut up and do nothing.  I just listen.  This might be when I am in my garage cleaning and processing what has been and is happening.  Just me and God.  Alone.  It might be as I go for a walk or sit on the lake fishing (This is why I love to go fishing.)

I also listen through...

• Music.
• Reading books.
• Reading blogs.
• Listening to other pastors' messages.
• Listening to and watching the staff at Meadow.
• Listening to and watching the Advisory Team and Leadership Team at Meadow.

How do you get alone with God?  What do you do?

Takin' Some Time Off

I'm not going into the office this week.  I'm taking some time off.  Things are going to get real crazy and intense starting the first of March.  This week, I'm doing a few things to get ready.

• Resting & Sleeping.  I still have this crude & sinus infection that I have had for over a month.  I need to get healthy.  I'm headed to the Dr. (again) tomorrow.
• Reading - "Fusion" & "Leadership Coaching"
• Spending time in my garage putzin'
• Doing some serious alone time with God asking Him to renew and refresh His vision in my brain and heart for Meadow.
• Blogging random thoughts on the "all-tithe offering" from yesterday, what I am reading, and what I am hearing God say.
• Finalizing my teaching strategy through the end of summer.

Official "23" Trailer

My Wife Left Me Today

I knew it was coming...

• The Jeff Gordon shirt
• The time on the internet checking stats
• The signing up for a fantasy racing league

And then today... the Daytona 500.  Every weekend a race.

I will get her back in November.

God wins

Long morning.  Baptisms at the movie theater always are.  At the church by 4:00 AM to set up bapticuzzi and get it filled before set up.  Tear down is more involved with draining the bapticuzzi, cleaning up any water, putting things away.  8 hours later, I get home - ready for a nap.

BUT...it is all worth it because it is not about me.  It is about seeing God change lives.

God won today - in a major way.

Another 25 names were added to the "23 Panels" today!  That makes over 135 names!  What would happen at Meadow - what would happen in the kingdom of God if every Sunday 25 people who are far from God were added to a "pray and invite" list?

My mind can't even fathom what's possible when 135 people are being prayed for and invited to come to Meadow where they will hear about real hope found in a refreshing relationship with Jesus Christ!

We celebrated with 5 people today as they were baptized and publicly declared that they are a follower of Jesus.  One of those getting baptized was a close friend of mine who I distinctly remember sitting down with and talking about Meadow over 10 years ago.  Today, he and his wife were baptized.  How cool is that?

The "all-tithe" offering?  I have no clue.  I haven't seen the number yet.  But it is not about a number.  It is not about money.  It is about men and women and teenagers obeying God and about God showing His faithfulness.  I don't know the number, but I know God is smiling and is starting to unload and unleash His blessings.

God has begun to move

Right now - 25 from Meadow are at Acquire the Fire.  They are hearing music and a challenge to take their faith to the next level.  Some of the teens are considering turning their lives over to Jesus.  Others are experiencing a rise in their courage to come home and take the message of Jesus into their homes, their schools, and to Meadow.

The mail came today at the office and people who will be gone this weekend have already started mailing in their tithe for the "All-tithe" Sunday.  There was even an envelope slid underneath the door.  Meadow Springers are taking a major step of obedience and are about to experience amazing blessing from God.

Small yellow slips with "My '23' Friends" are sitting on kitchen tables, stuck to refrigerator doors with names of people who are being prayed for and will be invited to "23".  Many of these will turn their lives over to Jesus.  These slips will be tacked to the "23" panels on display this Sunday.  Already there are over 110 names.

How do I know all of this?  Because I believe God is making this happen and WANTS this and far more to happen.

Yes - He has begun to move.

Standing at the threshold

Today, I feel like I am standing at the threshold looking at the upcoming weekend where "God-things" will be happening.

1. 25 teens and adults are going to Acquire the Fire on Friday & Saturday.
2. Baptism celebration on Sunday morning
3. More names will be added to the "23" panel
4. Premier showing of the official "23" trailer
5. All-tithe Sunday

Don't let anything keep you from coming.

"23" Trailer

We just finalized the production of the official "23" trailer.  This is awesome and powerful.  I will post it on Sunday afternoon and it will be on YouTube to pass on to your friends.  We will be unveiling it Sunday morning.  It just solidifies in my gut that this series is going to be a major God-thing.

READ the Bible

We had another outstanding Starting Point group last night.  It so jazzes and energizes me to be around people who are eager to learn and ask questions and are discovering things I often take for granted.

One discussion point that came up last night was the hesitancy - maybe even fear - of reading the Bible.  But we talked about the relevancy of the Bible too.  And how you will never know the relevancy of the Bible unless you READ the Bible.  So many who think the Bible is irrelevant have not read it.

You have to READ the Bible.  It doesn't get any simpler than this.  You will not grow in your relationship with Christ if you don't read the Bible.  Your faith will stagnate.  You will lack energy and drive to serve, to give, to pray, to hang in there when life stinks.  You will start thinking unreasonable and unfounded thoughts about God and the Bible.  You will be extremely susceptible, and eventually a victim to a worldview which will turn you against everything Christ is.

YOU HAVE TO READ THE BIBLE

It doesn't matter where you start.  Just start.  You don't have to get all caught up in the details and the what if, what abouts, etc.  Just read it.  If you are really at a loss for what to read or where to start - start with the book of John in the New Testament.  What should you read after that?  Read John first THEN decide.  In fact, read John a bunch of times.  Don't worry about what you will read next.

And this is not something that only young Christians need to pay attention to.  This is as basic as basic as basic as any Christian can get.  You will never reach a point in your Christianity where you don't need to read the Bible.  You HAVE TO READ THE BIBLE!!!

I know this probably doesn't sound very deep to those who are wanting "deep stuff" and think they have some how graduated from just reading the Bible.  They say they need deep commentaries, and Greek, and Hebrew, and knowing the tenses of the verbs.  There is a very, very deep theological word to describe that ... "hogwash".  (Or for those who prefer the King James verbiage - "hogwasheth")

Just read the Bible.

Last night was awesome.  This is a group of people who WANT to read the Bible.  The rest of us Christians need to hang around people like this more often.  We would realize how we have complicated the Bible and we would re-discover how refreshing just reading the Bible can be.

Just READ the Bible.

God's just doin' His thing at Meadow

I am finding it difficult to find words to describe what I am feeling as I think about this coming Sunday.  God is doing something at Meadow and each week He seems to unwrap another piece.

This Sunday, more names will be added to the "23" panels of people who are being prayed for and invited to the next series.  It is our "all-tithe" Sunday which I have no clue what will happen and how God will move.  Plus we are celebrating baptism.

If you have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sin and made a commitment to follow Him, I can't encourage you enough to get baptized.  We have baptized over 120 people at Meadow!  I know, you don't HAVE to be baptized to be a Christian.  But, speaking from personal experience, there is a smile of God on your heart and spirit that comes when you take this great step of obedience.  A smile like no other.

If you are still thinking about it, here is the video from our last baptism.   This is so awesome!  Email or call me if you are feeling God nudge you toward getting baptized.

Getting in Leadership Shape

"The conduct, attitude and productivity of any organization is a direct result of it's leadership."

This is a statement my dad recently sent me and is just one of a bunch of statements, thoughts, quotes, etc. that I have recently had come my way in terms of leadership.  It all has to do with what is weighing big time on my heart and brain - leadership development for leaders at Meadow.

Confession...I have always "said" I am all for leadership development, but my "actions" have been pathetic - maybe non-existent is a better word.  And the ministry is showing it.  If we are going to prevail and go to the next level and get healthier around here - it is not going to be by another cool teaching series (although we will continue to be strong with our teaching and package them in relevant and attractive ways).  It is not going to be by doing another massive direct mail marketing piece.  It is not going to be by adding venues.  It is not going to be by adding more ministry, more worship services, more Bible studies, more community groups, more cooler tech stuff.  It is going to happen by seeing our leaders grow in spiritual maturity.

We had a great first Core Training this past Saturday.  We are setting a path of having Core Training for all community group leaders and ministry team leaders the second Saturday of every month.  This will be a critical, non-negotiable time for me.  I will be pouring energy and time into this.  The passion of the leaders of Meadow in their relationship with Christ is critical.

We (leaders - and I include myself in this group) - cannot and will not move those we are leading beyond our level of passion and growth.  We can try - but it will not happen.  If we are not in shape spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and even physically taking care of our bodies - those we are leading will not be in shape.  If the spiritual thermometer at Meadow is showing lukewarm, it is reflective of the spiritual thermometer of the leadership.

The spiritual health of this church rests on my shoulders - but not my shoulders alone.  It also rests on the shoulders of community group leaders and ministry team leaders - those who are leading people.

My personal health advocate coach recently emailed me and said, "How are we to respond and take care of others, if we are not taking care of ourselves.  Not only physically, but mentally and emotionally."  I would add to that "spiritually".

So...I am putting all leaders at Meadow on notice.  We are going to get in shape.  Yup...it will be work and we will do some major sweating and there will be times you will want to give up and quit.  But if we are going to lead - we have to be in shape.  We are not going to talk about it.  We are going to "do".

Knock Out Sunday!

Okay...attendance was not good today. The -38 wind chill kept people home, in their PJ's, huddling around the fireplace drinking hot coffee. BUT.other than that, this was one knock out Sunday.

Set up went great. Tear down was extremely efficient. (We have had a surge of awesome volunteers in the last few weeks serving with tear down.) The music sounded awesome. Volunteers were sharp and on the money (we have the BEST volunteers). There was a positive buzz afterwards. I feel good about my message. There were written comments on cards about how God is moving in lives.

One VERY cool thing that happened to me personally happened when we passed out M&M's to everyone after the offering. The young teen girl who was a few seats away from me - she got her M&M's (which was a surprise to her and everyone - no one was expecting this), and started jumping up and down in excitement. She was totally pumped that she got M&M's! Out of the corner of my eye, as we were in the middle of some awesome worship, I saw her open the bag and then just sort of stand there. Then she reached over, tapped me on the arm, and before she took any - she offered me some! What is so awesome about this is this is EXACTLY what we have been talking about the last few weeks - giving away our M&M's (our stuff) to others. I thought to myself, "Can you imagine what this community and world would be like if every time we got paid or woke up with a fresh 24 hours ahead of us that we got so stoked about the M&M's in our life. And then before we used any of it for ourselves, we gave to others!

Maybe the coolest thing that happened was that when the challenge and invitation was given to write down the names of friends people wanted to pray for and invite to the next series ("23") - and then get up out of their seat, walk down to a large "23" panel, and tack to the panel those names. Whenever something like this happens, it is entirely a step of faith trusting God to move in the hearts of people to the point of acting. So, I had no clue what was going to happen and because I was in the front row and the panels were behind me, I had no clue if anyone was coming down and tacking names on the panel. When the song was done and I looked at the panels, there were 110 names!! Can you believe it!!! 110 people who are going to be prayed for and invited to "23"!!! Just imagine what could happen in families, schools, marriages, work places - when these people come and discover a refreshing relationship with Christ!

It doesn't stop there - these panels are going to be up every Sunday and additional names can be added. Is it possible that 200 names could be on those panels over the next few weeks? Is it possible that 200 people will be prayed for and personally invited by friends to come to Meadow where they will hear about a refreshing relationship with Jesus? Just imagine and then read Eph. 3:20. THEN get out of the way as God moves like never before!

If you missed the morning.  Here is a link to the message.  It's not too late to be part of what God did today at Meadow.  Action Shift

This was no doubt a knock out Sunday!

Yup...it's nippy

Windchill right now is -23 at 7:00 PM.

It could be -40 by morning.

Dude...THAT is cold!!

Core Training

This morning was our first of what I intend to become a monthly deal..."Core Training" - a gathering of all ministry team and community group leaders.

For the first one, I think it went pretty good.  I've got a little bit of feedback and it's been good.  Something we should have done and started a long time ago.

My intention is that this will be a "training" time - not a teaching or preaching time.  I need to work on this.  I am such a teacher that it is so easy for me to just talk.  However, I want this to be hands-on training for critical and useful leadership strengthening.

On the fire department, every Monday night is "training".  We do stuff.  We get our hands dirty and "do" - we don't sit and listen to one person talk.  This is what I want the Core Training to be.

Today, we did some evaluation of our "joy quotient" - personally and the teams/groups we lead.  We talked about how our teams and groups will never exceed a passion for God that we have and increasing our team's and group's passion for God begins with my personal passion for God.

We also talked about why this group is called the "core".  I am relating it to the core of our physical bodies and the importance of core training.  All movements are initiated from our core and a healthy core leads to a healthy and fit body.  The same is true in the church.  All movement initiates and comes back to the core.  And a healthy core leads to a healthy and fit church.

My key strategic objective this year wraps around pouring myself into this group of leaders and see their passion for God rise.  I want them to have a deep passion for their own personal growth and faith in Christ.  I want them to have a passion to see those they lead grow in their faith.  And I want them to have a passion for the lost.

"23"

This Sunday we are going to introduce the next series.  It's called "23: A Journey of Finding Hope in the Midst of Dark Days".  This will be a powerful series.  As I wrote the messages, I have never been so focused yet I have never had such a struggle.  My gut says there is A LOT weighing on these four weeks.  We are going to hit head-on one of the most difficult and relevant issues - facing adversity, facing hopelessness when life stinks, questioning God when bad things happen.

Why are we calling it "23"?  Several reasons...

The teaching will come from Job 23, Psalm 23, Proverbs 23, and Luke 23 - all dealing with adversity and facing adversity.  As I studied these passages, I could not believe how real they are to the questions and issues we face.

"23" is also inspired by Nick Dennen.  Nick played football for the University of Minnesota Duluth.  His number was 23.  One night after a drinking party, he fell down a 35 foot cliff and suffered a traumatic brain injury.  The doctors called his parents and game them no hope and to prepare for the worse.  Nick was in a coma for 7 weeks but came out of it and began a journey back.  In his journey he came to faith in Christ and now his desire is to "inspire people and give them the hope to never give up."  He has authored the book "23: Time to Choose".

I have spent time with Nick and just had lunch with him again today and can say he is a very sincere and humble man who wants to help people - especially those who are hurting.

Nick will be with us on Easter Sunday to share his story.

Here are a few other interesting things about "23".

• I was introduced to Nick on October "23"
• It is "23" miles from Nick's home to Meadow.
• He is speaking on Easter Sunday which is March "23".
• I went to my daughter's concert and just happen to sit in seat "23" (no joke - it freaked me out!)

This WILL BE four weeks where a lot of people will find hope and find it in a relationship with Christ.

I am pumped!

Meadow IS different

I have been thinking A LOT about Gary Lamb's post Allow Me to Rant.  This so nailed it on the money of why Meadow is so different from every other church in our area.  Now, keep in mind I said "different" not "better".

It is in our DNA to not be a cool, cutting-edge, contemporary church that appeals to the preferences and desires of the Christian looking for a cool, cutting-edge, contemporary church.  It is in our DNA to be a church that understands, connects with, and gets real serious, intentional, and aggressive in reaching the person who does not have a personal and refreshing relationship with Jesus.

And I will be flat out honest and say a lot of people have left Meadow - good people - because of this difference.  There is not a week that goes by that I don't see someone in the store or around town who "used" to go to Meadow and now goes to another church - usually a cool, cutting-edge, contemporary church that has a great ministry to Christians.

Our programming is determined by our DNA.  Our music is determined by this.  Our marketing is determined by this.  Our messages are determined by this.  What we do, when we do it, how often we do it, why we do it ... is determined by this.

For example...when you come to Meadow - you will be clearly challenged to change your behavior to line up with the teaching of Jesus.  You won't hear a bunch of stuff you can pack in your brain so you can pass the "Are You Smarter Than The Average Christian" test.  You will hear a simple message - probably with ONE focus point (not 3 or 5 or 10 points that you will forget before you walk out the door).

You will be seriously challenged to:

• Make it a top priority to invest and engage in relationships with people who are far from God.  And invite them to Meadow.
• Serve the church and the community in ministry - not just come and sit.
• Be in a small group where you will be held accountable in how you apply God's truth in your family, your work, your marriage, your relationships.
• Make Sunday services top priority because that is THE KEY single time each week when more disconnected people come looking for genuine love and acceptance and trying to make sense of God.
• Give God your very best and the very first of your time, your money, and your energy.

When you come to Meadow, you might meet:

• Couples who are living together
• Men and women who are on their 2nd, 3rd, 4th marriages
• Men and women who smell of alcohol
• Teenagers struggling with eating disorders
• Adults and teens involved in a homosexual lifestyle
• Men and women who don't believe in God and question His existence
• People who are negative toward the church because of a past experience
• Blended families that have come out of messy divorces that still create problems

And let me be very clear ... all of these people and their friends are welcome at Meadow.  We want them here.  We want them to feel free to explore Christ, discover Christ, begin a relationship with Christ, and align their lives up with His refreshing (not boring or heavy) teachings.  We want them to discover that life with Jesus is better than any other life imaginable.

Again...this does not make us better - just different.

This is me. Pt. 3

Okay...enough of this. Time to move on.  Here is the last bit.  Of course there is more.  (Like "John has great fear of dentists, cottage cheese, and egg nog."  But those are some of my deepest, darkest characteristics that are hidden away for no one to know.)

My point in doing this to help you understand a little bit more of what makes me tick, how I communicate, how to communicate to me, etc.  It might also help you understand why I do what I do, react how I react, lead like I lead, etc.

BTW... I scored 100 on the Lion scale, 54 on the Otter scale, 16 on the Golden Retriever scale, and 46 on the Beaver scale.  Again if you missed what that means, check the explanation out here.

If you missed the first two parts, here they are:  Part 1  Part 2

"John may lack the patience to listen and communicate with slower acting people.  His creative and active mind may hinder his ability to communicate to others effectively.  He may present the information in a form that cannot be easily understood by some people.  He may lose interest in what others are saying if they ramble or don't speak to the point.  His active mind is already moving ahead.  He challenges people who volunteer their opinions.  John tends to influence people by being direct, friendly and results-oriented.  He should exhibit more patience and ask questions to make sure that others have understood what he has said.  He tends to be intolerant of people who seem ambiguous or think too slowly.  He may sometimes mask his feelings in friendly terms.  If pressured, John's true feelings may emerge."

Shift #2 this Sunday - Be Ready

Last Sunday was week #1 of Shift.  And we got real clear on shifting our priorities from the world's material priorities to God's spiritual priorities.  It doesn't happen often, but the air got real thick when I started talking about shifting the priorities of how we spend our money.  The thickness always comes because we KNOW what we should be doing but we aren't - including me.

You can listen to the message by clicking on the "Shift: Priority Shift" under Teaching Podcasts in the right margin.

This Sunday is going to rock as we come face to face with three areas of our behavior and actions that God asks us to make a shift in.  This Sunday will no doubt be a turning point for a lot of people at Meadow - maybe you.  AND...we have something planned for the very end of the service that will leave you with a major smile on your face and a big time spring in your step!

Starting Point STARTS!!!

I had the privilege of spending tonight with 18 other people eager to learn, ask questions, and dive into discovering more and more and more about where they all fit into God's story.  Most of what I hear is that when a group gets larger than 10-12, people do not talk.  I guess this group tonight missed that memo!

This was the first night of a brand new ministry - "Starting Point" and I don't know how it could have gone better.  This was an awesome night, and will be a great 10 week journey together.